It is unlikely that Carlos Baleba will remain in Brighton for the long term in the midst of Man United in the Cameroonian.
Manchester United is willing to postpone a movement for midfielder Carlos Baleba until next year.
United did not fully give up to sign the 21-year-old before the transfer window closes on 1 September, but senior sources admit that a deal is unlikely.
External sources have suggested that a deal is “too difficult” this summer. Baleba will be under contract in Brighton until 2028, with the option of another year, and the club sold midfielder Moises Caicedo to Chelsea in 2023 for a then British record £ 115 million.
Baleba would like to become a member of United, but he is appreciated at around £ 100 million by Brighton. United has already invested more than £ 200 million this summer in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
United is still planning to strengthen their midfield, because Toby Collyer is planning to join West Bromwich Albion. Collyer would rather stay, but United wants him to play regularly in the championship.
There was a surprise that United did not move to midfielder Joao Palhinha before he came on loan from Tottenham Hotspur from Bayern Munich. Palhinha, 30, played under United head coach Ruben Amorim at Sporting, excelled in the Premier League with Fulham and United have recruited three players from Bayern for the past three years.
Sources from agencies said that United would rather sign a midfielder instead of bringing one on loan. Spurs have an option to buy Palhinha for £ 27 million.
Casemiro remains an obstacle for United that strengthens their midfield. The men previously reported that four different figures were given a mandate to sell the 33-year-old, but he will see the last year of his contract.
United has not received any concrete offers for Casemiro, which should be sold for £ 15 million to prevent a loss under the profitability and sustainability rules of the Premier League.
The Casemiro contract will be next year and United has the option of an extra year, but will almost certainly ignore it.
Last year, United, United, recruited Manuel Ugarte on Transfer Deadline Day with the intention of becoming their defensive midfielder in the long term. However, the signing of £ 50.75 million is impressed and has lost its place to Casemiro by the end of last season.
Ugarte, 24, had a mixed preseason, which shone against West Ham United in New Jersey before struggling against Everton in Atlanta. Ugarte started in two of the five pre-season races of United.
Amorim has to decide whether he wants to play Bruno Fernandes with Ugarte or Casemiro in the opening Premier League match of United against Arsenal in Old Trafford on Sunday.