Manchester United have made initial enquiries over a potential move for Brighton star Carlos Baleba in the final month of the summer transfer window. Ruben Amorim would like to add a midfielder to his squad before deadline day, with the 21-year-old viewed as the ideal addition to his starting line up.
A move for Baleba is viewed as unlikely at this moment in time, and United would almost certainly have to sanction a big sale if they were to add the Brighton star alongside their proposed addition of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. Brighton have already made it clear they do not intend to sell Baleba this summer, and he is more likely to be on the move next year instead.
00:01Manchester United have made initial inquiries over a potential move for Carlos Baleba in the final month of the summer transfer window.
00:09United are set to complete a deal for RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko and after that Ruben Amarim would still like to add a mobile midfielder to his United side before deadline day on Monday 1st September.
00:22United have made initial inquiries to sound out the possibility of a move for Brighton's star Baleba.
00:27The 21-year-old has a few years left on his current contract at Brighton, understood the South Coast Club could offer him a new deal in order to fend off the immediate interest from United.
00:38And at this moment in time is viewed as unlikely that United will be able to sign him before the transfer deadline.
00:45But what it does indicate is that Ruben Amarim wants to target the midfield next.
00:49Of course, United's summer business has been focused on an attacking overhaul.
00:54They've already signed Mitesh, Cunha and Brian Mbwemo, set to sign Sesko from Leipzig as well.
01:00And after that, United will look at overhauling their midfield.
01:04Toby Collier could leave on loan.
01:06Casemiro has entered the final year of his United contract.
01:09And there are still doubts over the role Manuel Ugarte has to play, while Kobe Meno is yet to sign a new contract either.
01:16So next summer, we can expect to see more movement in the midfield department.
01:21United could sign as many as two new central midfielders in a year's time.
01:24And for the time being, well, they could get a loan deal or a free agent to tie themselves over.
01:29They could even just sign someone who's a bit of a stopgap with a view to signing a more long-term solution such as Baleba or Adam Wharton in a year's time.
01:38United, though, are keeping their options open.
01:40They believe they can fund a deal for Sesko without any further player sales.
01:45They can amortise the deals they've already got over the next five years.
01:50So even if they spend over £200 million on Cunha and Mbwemo and Sesko, that can equate to just £40 million over the next five years.
01:58It means if they sell someone like Alejandro Garnaccio and Chelsea are keen on a deal for him, that will be recognised as pure profit.
02:04That could be reinvested into the squad elsewhere.
02:07So United are looking at midfield targets this summer.
02:09If they're going to sign an elite option, it's probably going to be in a year's time.
02:13But they are still making those enquiries, looking to see who's on the market.
02:18So Sesko will be next at Old Trafford.
02:20Will United be able to add a midfielder for deadline day as well?
