Manchester United have Brighton’s Carlos Baleba as their primary midfield target, but there is another Premier League star they could target.
Manchester United are nearing the conclusion of their summer transfer activity, with Rúben Amorim still intent on bolstering his squad.
During the 2025 window, United have completed four signings: Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Bryan Mbeumo, and their most recent arrival in attack, Benjamin Šeško.
The quartet have cost the club around £214 million, with every deal apart from Leon’s exceeding £60 million. Amorim remains keen to add both a midfielder and a goalkeeper before the window closes, with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba understood to be his priority midfield target.
However, with a reported price tag of roughly £100 million, United will first need to raise funds through player sales before pursuing any further additions.
Baleba would be a brilliant signing for United
With Baleba’s price tag one that United would have to break the bank for, former defender Wes Brown has admitted that he can see precisely why Amorim views the 21-year-old as a perfect signing for the Reds.
“Man United have a big heritage and a big history. You can see with the signings we’ve made that we’re trying to get back to winning ways,” Brown told The Metro.
“He’s [Baleba] done really well. He’s a player who has probably been under the radar a little bit. He’s quick, sharp, he has a brilliant left foot, he gets in your face and he can tackle.
“I think he’s the sort of player the manager is looking for in midfield. He’d be very exciting. He’d put a stamp on the midfield along with Bruno Fernandes. He’d be a really positive buy.”
United also have a Baleba transfer alternative
While Baleba continues to be the club’s first-choice target, Brown also wanted to shine a spotlight on another possible signing in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.
Wharton has been instrumental in Oliver Glasner’s FA Cup and Community Shield victories this year, but is likely to make a move to a major club in the next few seasons as he continues to thrive.
On Wharton, Brown added: “He’s a very nice player – and he’s English as well. He’s got better and better each season. He’s good on the ball.
“He’s a little different to Baleba, but when you watch him play, he’s got balance and he doesn’t panic. I think either of them would be good additions.”
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