Manchester United have received a fresh valuation of one of their major midfield targets, as a potential move has been put on hold.
It is essential that Manchester United sign at least one new midfielder in the next two transfer windows, as Rúben Amorim’s rebuild continues.
The club’s recent fixture against Aston Villa highlighted the lack of depth in the midfield. Manuel Ugarte, who has struggled to adapt to life at Old Trafford, started the game, but once again failed to show Amorim that he deserves a starting spot.
With Kobbie Mainoo out of the game due to injury, and Bruno Fernandes also being replaced at half-time after sustaining an injury in the opening 45 minutes, it was Lisandro Martínez, a natural centre-back, who came on to replace the Portuguese midfielder.
While these problems exist in the short term, the club also has issues in the long term. Mainoo’s future at the club remains in serious doubt, while Casemiro’s current deal expires at the end of this season. Rumours linking Fernandes to a move to Saudi Arabia also remain after links last summer.
Brighton’s latest stance on Carlos Baleba transfer
In the final couple of weeks of the transfer window, it was reported that Man Utd made it clear that Carlos Baleba was their main midfield target, but the club’s £60 million valuation paled in comparison to Brighton’s £100 million asking price.
After missing out on their main target, it is expected that United will go back in for the Cameroonian midfielder.
As reported by TEAMtalk, however, Manchester United may once again be priced out of a move for the 21-year-old. The outlet reports that, while The Reds remain interested in Baleba, Brighton will not let the player leave until his market valuation returns to a premium level.
The Cameroonian’s performances have dipped this season, meaning there’s no chance that any club will get close to Brighton’s £100 million valuation of the 21-year-old.
The outlet also reports that the East Sussex side won’t listen to any offers in January, but also do not intend to sell him in the summer either, meaning United’s plans for their midfield rebuild could change.
Man Utd have better midfield options
While Baleba’s form has certainly not been great, it’s still expected that he will be high on United’s transfer target list going into the next two transfer windows.
While reports indicate that both Amorim and Manchester United are staunch on securing the Cameroonian’s signature next summer, there could be better options for the club to pursue.
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Instead of spending around £100 million on one signing, the club may find it more worthwhile to sign two midfielders for a combined fee similar to what the Brighton man would cost on his own.
Both Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson are expected to leave their respective clubs at the end of this Premier League season after enjoying breakout seasons. It is expected that the two would be cheaper than Baleba, so it may be wiser for United to pursue the signature of one of the two Englishmen and a younger midfielder such as Lucien Agoumé.
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