Having completed a trifecta of elite attacking signings, Manchester United could now be turning attentions elsewhere with further strengthening needed.
The purchase of Benjamin Sesko wasn’t even agreed by Manchester United before it emerged that the club were now set to focus on signing a new midfielder.
This hardly came as a shock, with Ruben Amorim stating his desire for an athletic midfielder at United, with the current midfield options not quite fit for purpose.
So signing a new midfielder would be expected, but United’s main target is a shock as it happens to be the very best possible option available to the club.
This emerged on Wednesday, that United were interested in signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton in a move which would significantly improve the midfield department at Old Trafford.
Baleba would be perfect for Ruben Amorim, with his defensive qualities coupled perfectly with his on ball abilities and physical traits.
Brighton expect Malick Yalcouye to be Carlos Baleba replacement in 2026
United really want Baleba, as has been stated, because Ineos don’t make interest public unless there is a genuine belief a deal can be reached. But that doesn’t mean it is going to be easy.
Brighton are thought to want a package worth £104m to sell Baleba this summer, which looks extortionate, but arguably they are within their rights as he is simply that good.
However, this fee is more than likely just too much for United this summer unless serious sales are made which have so far not came to fruition.
Now, it has emerged from The Athletic, that Brighton would be more open to selling Baleba in 2026, due to the replacement they have already signed and their contingency plan.
The report claims that Brighton expect to keep Baleba this summer in order to allow their 19-year-old planned replacement Malick Yalcouye to have another year on loan to develop before he takes over.
This highlights the genius of Brighton’s recruitment policy, with replacements for star names already in the pipeline, as Baleba was with Moises Caicedo.
United missed the chance to sign Baleba in 2023, but are looking to rectify this now, albeit are going to have to pay a premium.
Manchester United also tried to sign Malick Yalcouye
Brighton have an endless supply chain of excellent young midfielders right now, which all started with Moises Caicedo. United passed up on Caicedo before he joined Brighton for cheap and went on to become a £115m player.
This was one big source of frustrating of the previous United recruitment team, and Baleba was another the club missed having wanted him while he played for Lille.
However, even Baleba’s replacement Yalcouye was once on United’s agenda.
United were scouting Yalcouye in 2024, considering a move for the £7m rated midfielder, however ultimately nothing came of this as last summer United’s recruitment team was only being put in place.
Brighton then signed Yalcouye instead and in 12 months time he could be their ready made Baleba replacement and potentially their next £100m midfielder if all goes according to plan.
This is something United need to improve on, and will think they have done with Sekou Kone expected to be top class in the future.
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