Welbeck thinks Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim could be signing a world-beater next

As Manchester United ponder the signing of a midfielder, Ruben Amorim may benefit from hearing the thoughts of Danny Welbeck, who plays alongside one of their new top targets

Danny Welbeck has previously tipped Manchester United transfer target Carlos Baleba to become one of the best midfielders in the world. United head coach Ruben Amorim has mainly focussed on bolstering his attack this summer, but is turning attention to the middle of the park.

The Red Devils began the transfer window by signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5million, before going on to splash £71million on Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, while 18-year-old defensive prospect Diego Leon also arrived in-between those arrivals.

RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko is also closing in on a mega-money move to Old Trafford, and it seems that once that deal is done, United could turn to Baleba, having now been linked with a swoop for the Cameroon international.

The Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder, who has previously been admired by Chelsea, has caught United's eye with his impressive performances for Fabian Hurzeler's side. He has also more than impressed team-mate and former United forward Welbeck, who believes Baleba has the potential to become one of the best in world football.

In an interview with BBC Radio Sussex back in November last year, Welbeck explained his thoughts on the 21-year-old. The ex-Arsenal forward said: "He can be unstoppable. If he keeps up with that desire and passion, he can go right to the top. He’s got all of the attributes to be a world-beater.”

Welbeck is not the only former United star who has been impressed by Baleba. Rio Ferdinand recently admitted he would like to see his former side try and sign the promising box-to-box midfielder.

Speaking on his Rio Presents podcast, the former England and United skipper said: "I’m being greedy, and [if] we are able to shift the other players that are surplus to requirements, I’d be going for Baleba in midfield.

"[He] beats the press on a regular basis. [He’s] confident on the ball. [He] can move, is mobile. He is a Ruben Amorim midfielder.”

According to The Athletic, United have already made contact with Brighton about a potential move for Baleba. However, it's also claimed the Red Devils would need to sell some unwanted players such as Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho, before they can make a meaningful bid for Baleba.

The midfielder has three years left on his deal, which gives the Seagulls plenty of room to demand a high fee. Two seasons ago, Brighton extracted £115m from Chelsea for Moises Caicedo, a Premier League record transfer at the time.

It's understood Brighton may demand a similar transfer fee for Baleba, although United are thought to value him at around £70m.

When asked about the Red Devils' interest in Baleba, Brighton chief executive Paul Barber told spectators at a supporters event: "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 [head coach Hurzeler] with a very 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."