Manchester United have turned their attention towards signing a top central midfielder in the summer transfer window, but may need to move fast for the number one target
Manchester United have been warned they need to move fast if they are to land Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba. United are reportedly keen to sign Baleba in the summer transfer window, with Ruben Amorim chasing a holding midfielder for his 3-4-3 formation.
United have reportedly made contact with Brighton to discuss the possibility of a transfer this summer. The Cameroon international has three years left on his Seagulls contract and is valued at £100million after a standout campaign.
Amorim’s side have spent over £200m this summer to bring in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. They likely need to offload some of their unwanted players like Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho before moving for other targets.
But Troy Deeney has warned them that Real Madrid could emerge as a rival for Baleba if they don’t move fast enough. Real are in the market for a central midfielder, and have been linked with Manchester City star Rodri, but Deeney thinks Baleba could fit the bill too.
“I think United have to get Baleba this window, or they don’t get him,” Deeney said on talkSPORT. “If he has another good season, I do think other teams with Real Madrid and the like will come in and go ‘Bosh, we’ll have him’.
“I think if Man United want him…if I’m Ruben Amorim I’m kind of bullish on that. I’d be saying ‘get this deal done because then I can get you into Europe’. If they can sign him, he can move them up 10 spaces [in the Premier League].”
Brighton are no strangers to driving a hard bargain over their star players, having got good deals over Alexis Mac Allister, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro in recent years. Speaking last week, chief executive Paul Barber played down the rumours around Baleba.
"We've got some great talent, there's always going to be interest in our players," he said. "Manchester United have not been in touch with me. From that point of view, speculation is speculation.
"We will always try to make sure we sell our best players at the right time, not just for the player but for us. If we end up doing that with any player, it's with the view to leave Fabian with a competitive squad, whatever happens. We don't want to sell our best players. Carlos is a fantastic talent who has a lot of years ahead of him.
"We hope he will be here for many years to come. But it's something that, as always, is subjective to the dynamics of the football world which isn't always predictable."
Maockmnopy
14
give them Sancho and add them money