Manchester United remain interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba, but he is no longer their top midfield target for the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Cameroon international was close to completing an Old Trafford switch last year, having agreed personal terms with the Red Devils, but the deal ultimately collapsed due to Brighton’s asking price of over €115 million (£100m).
It was a fee that Man Utd were unwilling to pay and Baleba was forced to remain at the AMEX Stadium, despite his desire to join the 13-time Premier League champions.
This season, the 22-year-old’s form has suffered a notable dip and it appears as though his failed move to Old Trafford has played a key role in his drop-off in performance level. As a result, The Athletic report that Man Utd now only value Baleba at roughly €58m (£50m).
Furthermore, it’s claimed that while Baleba was Man Utd’s top midfield target last summer, he is now “in a lower category of midfielders on United’s list.” As a result, the club are unlikely to pay over the odds to secure his signature during the upcoming window.
Baleba has made 31 appearances across all competitions so far this season for Brighton, but he has only played the entire 90 minutes on four occasions.
Man Utd want two new midfielders
Elliot Anderson is instead considered to be Man Utd’s primary target for this summer, although they will face significant competition from arch-rivals Manchester City, while Nottingham Forest want a fee as high as €144m (£125m) to sanction a sale.
Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Mateus Fernandes (West Ham United), Alex Scott (Bournemouth), Joao Gomes (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United) are also on Man Utd’s radar, although a deal for the latter is expected to be “out of reach”.
The Red Devils are hoping to add two central midfielders to their squad this summer, with Casemiro departing on a Bosman deal upon the expiration of his contract and Manuel Ugarte set to be sold permanently after an underwhelming two-year stint at the club.
Kobbie Mainoo will remain at the club, however, with a new contract expected to be formalised by the end of the season.
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