Manchester United are planning on signing two new central midfielders, and it is a realistic possibility that Carlos Baleba is one of them.
At the end of the summer transfer window, Manchester United made a late inquiry for Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, who had been one of the standout Premier League midfielders in the 2024/25 season.
Brighton responded with a fee of over £100 million, and director of football Jason Wilcox chose to leave the midfield signing until another window, with a new goalkeeper still on the list. Benjamin Šeško’s transfer was also being negotiated at the time.
Thankfully for the recruitment department, who would have faced further scrutiny without it, Casemiro has undergone a resurgence and become one of the most crucial players in the United side, for Rúben Amorim and now Michael Carrick.
However, Casemiro has already announced that he will be leaving Old Trafford at the end of the campaign when his current contract expires. As such, United have been heavily linked to more midfielders once again.
Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton have been the three most heavily linked to United, but Sandro Tonali and Amadou Onana have been added to the five-man shortlist more recently.
Brighton change their stance on Baleba
At the start of the season, many thought Baleba would be the ideal replacement for Casemiro, especially given the ground coverage demands in Rúben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation. While United no longer play the same system, Baleba’s profile would still be a good fit if he can regain the form that saw United become interested last season.
However, his poor form this season may have worked in United’s favour, as TeamTALK have now reported that Brighton have dropped their £100+ million stance on Baleba to a much more achievable fee of £70 million.
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be in the race for the Cameroon international, but “Manchester United remain the strongest pursuers” and “are the best placed club” to sign him.
Baleba is said to be the “number one target” as United look to sign two new central midfielders this summer, due to Casemiro’s departure and “uncertainty” regarding Manuel Ugarte’s future at the club.
The £70 million fee could allow United to sign Baleba, along with another high-profile midfielder, such as Anderson or Wharton.
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United could have statement summer
If United signs Baleba, that would already be a good, promising replacement for Casemiro, despite his poor form this campaign. And if they sign another of Anderson or Wharton, United could quickly have the best midfield options in the Premier League with Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes alongside the new additions.
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Director of football Jason Wilcox will also be searching for a new head coach, and is understood to prefer a more experienced option to replace Michael Carrick, with Luis Enrique and Thomas Tuchel both regularly mentioned.
If United can get a manager they are happy with, along with two high-profile central midfielders, and potentially a new left-winger, United will have had a statement summer transfer window as they should be returning to the Champions League.
A successful summer could mean United can compete with the best of the best in Europe, while also becoming a part of the title race in the Premier League.
It is a big if, but it is not out of the question.
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