Manchester United are already looking ahead to the summer transfer window, with the club planning to hire a long-term manager and use the market to completely revamp their midfield.
Manchester United hierarchy want to revamp their midfield in the summer (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United are reportedly growing increasingly confident of signing Carlos Baleva from Brighton in the summer transfer window. United have long admired Baleva and believe his chances are improving.
United have made little secret of their interest in the Cameroon international, who was one of their main targets before the start of the 2025/26 season. Brighton have continued to perform well this summer, with the £115m they paid to sign Moises Caicedo from Chelsea setting the bar high, with an offer in excess of £100m.
Although the Seagulls continue to publicly insist that Baleva is not for sale, United are still monitoring the 22-year-old midfielder. And with his performance gradually declining for Fabian Hürzeler’s team, there is hope that a deal could be reached next offseason.
The Sun reports that United are “increasingly confident” of making a summer signing as they work to revamp their midfield. Valeva has a contract with Brighton until June 2028, but he has shown time and time again that he is open to business, with the club backing their recruitment system to find a replacement.
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Baleva may not be the only player to arrive at Old Trafford in the summer, with United hoping to sign multiple central midfielders. Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott are also being monitored.
Casemiro is expected to leave United when his contract expires in June, but there are growing concerns about the departure of Bruno Fernandes following the sacking of manager Ruben Amorim. Meanwhile, Koby Mainu is having doubts this season amid interest from Napoli.
United are currently managed by Michael Carrick, who plans to name Amorim’s long-term successor in the summer. The identity and tactical outlook of their new boss will shape their transfer plans, but the hierarchy have already begun work on their all-important summer goals.
Carlos Baleva could leave Brighton in the summer (Image: Warren Little/Getty Images)
Let us know what you think. Which midfielder should Manchester United sign in the summer? Comment below.
Brighton have shown themselves to be tough negotiators in the past by forcing negotiations with star players, but vice-chairman Paul Barber has recently made his stance clear. He said this month: “I haven’t had any calls from Old Trafford, I haven’t had any calls from anyone at Manchester United.”
“We have no plans or desire to sell Carlos Baleva in this period or in the future. We know he is a talented player and we are confident that he has many options in the future. He will be an important player for us in the second half of the season and we look forward to his return from AFCON.”
Meanwhile, Brighton chairman Tony Bloom told the Argus in October: “I don’t think Baleva was a legend. There was some interest from Manchester United, but we told them he wasn’t available this summer and they left.”
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