Manchester United is said to be preparing to warm up their pursuit of Brighton's midfielder Carlos Baleba.
A figure of £ 100 million is baked for the 21-year-old, who spent two seasons as a regular starter for the seagulls after arrival from Lille in 2023.
He has left for three years on his contract on the Amex, and the club has the option of an extension of 12 months on top of that, so the cards are firmly in the hands of Brighton.
But Fabrizio Romano reports that United is ready to intensify their movement to grab him and that the player is crucial that the player wants to make the switch.
Brighton is not so willing to sell, since he had an impressive season, with 34 times in the Premier League and scored three goals in front of Fabian Hurzeler.
The Sussex club is used to turning stars for a stunning win – think of Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro – but are not in a position where they have to sell.
They finished the eighth in the Premier League last time, only five points on the fifth placed Newcastle, which secured Champions League football, and maybe feel that they can start.
Although they have sold important players in Pedro, Simon Adingra and Pervis Estupinan, they have re -invested in the next crop that they hope can shock the competition.
According to athletics, a movement is 'unlikely' for the young person, unless United is able to obtain a series of lucrative sales before the window closes at the beginning of next month.
United has nevertheless prepared contact with Brighton.
After their gloomy campaign in the past term, United focused on strengthening their attack, recruiting Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko for a combined edition of £ 207.2 million.
Only Liverpool and Chelsea can have higher spending this summer among the money spinning corridors of the Premier League.
One fan of Manchester United has set up a GoFundMe page to try to raise money for a Baleba offer, although it has only collected £ 501 from its target in four days.
Ruben Amorim has the desire to improve their midfield ranks. United currently has Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer, while Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo can also be used in the central midfielder positions in their 3-4-3 formation.
Baleba told the sun that praise from players such as Declan Rice, Matheus Cunha and Joelinton, and watching Man City star Rodri Rodri de Ballon d'Or, has encouraged him to set his sights on the most prestigious individual prize in football.
“I want to win the balloon d'Or like Rodri,” said Baleba. “His success has opened the door for midfielders like us to believe that we can win the Ballon d'Or one day.”
The young person was born and raised in Douala – also the birthplace of four -time African player of the year Samuel Eto'o.
He has also cited former United -midfielder Paul Pogba as one of his greatest inspirations.