In order to secure a move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, Manchester United must do two things they’ve never done before.
Manchester United are aiming to make a bold statement in the closing stages of the summer transfer window by targeting Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Ruben Amorim has already been backed with three significant first-team arrivals; Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško — all brought in to boost United’s attacking firepower.
However, the club still see room for improvement in other areas, with Baleba viewed as a midfielder who could deliver an immediate impact.
United believe the 21-year-old is open to a move, though Brighton are likely to demand a substantial fee during talks.
United will have to break transfer record for Baleba
While there various rumours about the price which it will take to sign Baleba from The Seagulls, Fabrizio Romano has clarified that Brighton haven’t actually communicated a price-tag to United.
Regardless of this, any deal would inevitably be over the £89 million they paid for Paul Pogba in the summer of 2016, which remains their highest transfer.
Antony and Harry Maguire also broke the £80 Read More: Gary Lineker agrees with Ruben Amorim about Manchester United’s ‘perfect’ next signingmillion-mark but United would have to beat their transfer record to sign Baleba.
It is also likely that those at Old Trafford would have to break the £100 million barrier to reach an agreement with Brighton.
There have only been a handful of transfers made above that price, with Neymar Jr, Enzo Fernandez and Declan Rice being among those.
United will have to ‘bid blind’ for Baleba
Another interesting aspect of this potential Baleba deal has been noted by Ben Jacobs on The United Stand YouTube channel.
He has explained how United might not be able to get that desired price tag from Brighton and will instead have to ‘bid blind’ for the player.
But should their bid be in the range of what The Seagulls are internally looking for, then the offer would be accepted.
Read More: Gary Lineker agrees with Ruben Amorim about Manchester United’s ‘perfect’ next signing
“Talks have already started and will continue on the club-to-club side… United don’t have a price, and Brighton have a number internally,” explained Jacobs.
“If you get within the ballpark of that number… they will sell, but you’re bidding blind.”
While this is something that Brighton did when they sold Moisés Caicedo to Chelsea, the Reds have never had to ‘bid blind’ for such a high-profile signing, and this might have to become the first time.
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