{"id":19159,"date":"2026-01-03T13:49:37","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T13:49:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/03\/manchester-uniteds-six-man-midfield-shortlist-after-carlos-balevas-schedule-revealed\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T13:49:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T13:49:37","slug":"manchester-uniteds-six-man-midfield-shortlist-after-carlos-balevas-schedule-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/03\/manchester-uniteds-six-man-midfield-shortlist-after-carlos-balevas-schedule-revealed\/","title":{"rendered":"Manchester United’s six-man midfield shortlist after Carlos Baleva’s schedule revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Manchester United maintain interest in Carlos Baleva and could want to sign multiple midfielders this year despite boss Ruben Amorim expecting a quiet January<\/h2>\n
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11:31, January 3, 2026<\/span>Updated January 3, 2026 11:31<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Carlos Baleva on Manchester United’s shortlist<\/span>(Image: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Manchester United’s priority is to sign two ‘top’ central midfielders within the next 12 months, with the club ‘exploring’ a second move for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleva.<\/p>\n
United made contact with Brighton over the 21-year-old midfielder in the summer, but their immediate interest was dampened when it emerged that Baleva’s transfer fee would be in excess of \u00a3100m. According to Sky Sports News, the Red Devils have made contact again, but it looks like a move won’t happen anytime soon.<\/p>\n
The Seagulls intend to retain the midfielder at least until the summer transfer window. Bareva’s contract runs until 2028, with a one-year extension option.<\/p>\n
According to the newspaper, the Brighton star is one of six players United are currently interested in. Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Wolves’ Joao Gomez are all on the club’s shortlist and will command big transfer fees.<\/p>\n
Ruben Amorim’s team also has young prospects such as Lille’s Ayyoub Bouadi and Olympiakos’ Christos Mousakitis as potential candidates. The club is expected to take action this month should a unique market opportunity arise.<\/p>\n
read more: Manchester United, Ruben Amorim faces big problems ahead of XI vs. Leeds<\/span><\/span>read more: Manchester United’s transfer negotiations confirmed amid “12 clubs competing” for highly rated young player<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
However, United manager Amorim expects a quiet month for January. The 40-year-old played down the possibility of a deal in a press conference ahead of the game against Leeds.<\/p>\n
“The transfer window remains unchanged,” Amorim said on Friday. “We are not in any discussions to change teams at this time.<\/p>\n
“There is a process, there is an idea to continue. We are close to qualifying for the Champions League, but we are also as close as eight teams away. So let’s focus on the next game, that’s all. Our focus is to win the next game.”<\/p>\n
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\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Ruben Amorim reveals plans for January<\/span>(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA, Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
“No, no one asked. I don’t expect them to come to me and ask me anything,” Amorim added in response to a question about the fugitive star.<\/p>\n
However, United are in transfer talks over the future of Harry Amass. The youngster is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday but could play his final game for the Championship side this weekend.<\/p>\n
The Owls hope to extend the transfer until the end of the season. As competition intensifies, Stoke and Millwall were named as two of the 12 clubs interested in signing Amath in January.<\/p>\n
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![\"Carlos](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36476053.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Brighton-Hove-Albion-v-Manchester-City-Premier-Leaguejpgl.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"MANCHESTER,](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36490553.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Manchester-United-v-Wolverhampton-Wanderers-Premier-League.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"content](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33374947.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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