Man Utd identify Carlos Baleba transfer alternative available in cut-price deal

Brighton have yet to budge on their asking price for Carlos Baleba and this could leave Manchester United turning their attention to more affordable midfield targets

Sevilla star Lucien Agoume is the latest name to be linked with Manchester United as the Red Devils seek out cheaper alternatives to Carlos Baleba. United appear unwilling to meet Brighton's nine-figure asking price for Baleba, having already splashed £200million this summer.

Earlier this week, it emerged that Morten Hjulmand and Adam Wharton were both being considered, though neither would be straightforward signings. Sporting Lisbon want big money to allow Hjulmand to reunite with Ruben Amorim, while Palace may decide they can't afford to lose Wharton if his team-mates Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi also leave this month.

According to reports in Spain (via Sport Witness), Agoume has a release clause worth just under £35m and might be available for even less than that. Other, unnamed Premier League clubs are also said to be in the mix, though one-time suitors Arsenal are unlikely to return for the Frenchman after previous links, having landed Martin Zubimendi in July.

Agoume joined Sevilla from Inter Milan in a cut-price deal in 2024, and was a regular last season as the team narrowly escaped relegation from La Liga. He was also part of the French side which reached the semi-finals of the Under-21 Euros, playing in all but one of their matches and captaining the side against Poland.

While Profit and Sustainability Rules make a move for Baleba unlikely this summer, a cheaper option such as Agoume could be the answer. However, much may still depend on sales elsewhere.

United have signed off on loan exits for the likes of Marcus Rashford and Toby Collyer, but are still working on permanent exits for some other players. Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund are among those who could yet leave, though United and Chelsea remain at odds over a valuation for the former.

There are also questions in the goalkeeper position, as links with Gianluigi Donnarumma persist. The arrival of the Italian might rely on United selling Andre Onana, with Inter Milan said to be interested in bringing the Cameroonian back to the San Siro.

Despite losing to Arsenal in their opening league game, United are looking at the positives after a tough end to last season. “The group, for me, is just, I don’t know, there’s such a good vibe. We’re all invested in something,” forward Joshua Zirkzee told club media.

"You can really tell that we really want to make sure that we’re not doing what we did last season. Also, outside the pitch, there’s some good vibes. We’re doing a lot of team bonding. I feel we’re much closer than we were last season, and hopefully we can translate all of that onto the pitch and share it with you, you know, the rest of the world who’s supporting United.”