Man Utd ‘have not stopped discussing’ transfer move for £100m Premier League star

Carlos Baleba remains a top transfer target at Old Trafford and Manchester United bosses are said to be in constant discussions over a possible move for the Brighton star.

United set their sights on capturing Baleba towards the end of the summer transfer window after successfully bolstering their attack with the addition of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

Over the last two seasons, Baleba has earned rave reviews and established himself as one of the top young talents in Premier League football with his accomplished performances at the base of Fabian Hurzeler’s midfield.

But after United initiated contact with Brighton to gauge Baleba’s potential availability, the Seagulls made it clear it would take an offer in excess of £100million to prise the 21-year-old away from the Amex Stadium.

In late August, Hurzeler said he was ‘more than 100 per cent confident’ that Baleba would stay put – and the Brighton boss was proven correct as the transfer deadline came and went, with the Red Devils forced to walk away from a proposed deal.

However, United have identified central midfield as a priority heading into the January window and Baleba remains high up on the club’s shortlist of options, alongside Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, United head coach Ruben Amorim views Baleba as an ‘ideal solution’ for the No.6 role – though a winter move is deemed unlikely at this stage.

‘In terms of midfielders, one of the names I want to maintain since August, on Manchester United’s shortlist, is Carlos Baleba,’ Romano said on his official YouTube channel.

‘I can guarantee that Manchester United, even in the internal talks at the club, have not stopped discussing the name of Carlos Baleba.

‘Baleba is seen, still, as an ideal solution by Ruben Amorim and people at the club.’

Baleba – who is currently away with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations – is said to be ‘super appreciated’ by United’s hierarchy, alongside England duo Wharton and Anderson.

‘Together with Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace and Elliot Anderson at Nottingham Forest, he [Baleba] is seen as one of the ideal central midfielders for Amorim,’ Romano added.

‘Baleba is super appreciated by them. A January move is still seen as unlikely but any moment, January of summer, if Brighton decide to open doors to an exit for Baleba, United remain absolutely interested in the player.

‘Manchester United remain in contact with people close to the player.’

Some reports emanating out of Germany have credited Bayern Munich with a strong interest in Baleba ahead of the January window, which opens in under a week’s time.

But according to Romano, Bayern are yet to hold any formal talks for the Brighton man and their interest remains just that for the time being. That could change if the Cameroon international is still available next summer, though.

Baleba’s current contract on the south coast runs through to June 2028.

Asked about the summer rumours linking him with a move to United before jetting off for AFCON, Baleba said: ‘I don’t think it affected me. But I had a lot of pressure on me.

‘When I started the season, I wanted to [have] the same performances as last season. Every day I try to work hard and to get [back] to my level.

‘Did I put too much pressure on myself? Yes, I think so, but I think that’s good.’

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