Manchester United have been priced out of signing Carlos Baleba this summer by Brighton. But Ineos should instead move for a player Brighton are looking at to replace Baleba.
Last summer, Carlos Baleba emerged as Manchester United’s dream midfielder, and there was an expectation that he would eventually be signed this summer.
But after Baleba’s poor season for Brighton, United have taken a step away from Baleba, put off by the Seagulls’ hefty price tag, which hasn’t moved to reflect his poor season.
United aren’t actively considering Baleba if reports are to be believed, but Brighton are now looking to sign a midfielder that Ineos should be trying to sign instead of the Cameroonian anyway.
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Manchester United can’t let Brighton sign Lamine Camara
Often, Brighton signs a player, and then 12 months later, there is an outcry of why United’s scouts didn’t suggest said player as a budget option at the time.
This happened with Baleba, Moises Caicedo, and more, with Monaco’s Lamine Camara looking set to become the latest.
Mike McGrath from The Telegraph has tweeted to suggest that Brighton are in the race for Camara alongside other Premier League sides.
He is valued at just £35m this summer, which is a bargain for the player he is right now, but more importantly, could become over the course of his career.
Camara is just 22 and destined to play at the highest level. This summer, United have a chance to skip the supply chain and buy Brighton’s next big midfielder instead of spending the premium on Baleba.
In 12 months, he could quite easily be worth triple the £35m demand, and United should be willing to take a punt. He is more of a sure thing than Ederson anyway.
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Camara would be perfect for Manchester United
For £35m, Camara is a no-brainer for Manchester United, with his quality making him a perfect fit for Michael Carrick’s midfield.
Camara’s numbers from his past season at Monaco proves this.
- Assists – 4 (88th percentile)
- Pass completion – 86% (52nd percentile)
- Chances created – 35 (89th percentile)
- Dribble completion – 53% (60th percentile)
- Duels won – 135 (89th percentile)
- Duels won percentage – 56% (78th percentile)
- Defensive contributions – 117 (82nd percentile)
- Tackles – 55 (84th percentile)
- Interceptions – 37 (94th percentile)
- Recoveries – 158 (93rd percentile)
- Possession won in final third – 21 (96th percentile)
Camara is an all-action midfielder who wins the ball back a lot, which would make him a good partner for Kobbie Mainoo and also Mateus Fernandes.
In particular, Camara is a superb presser with his numbers for winning the ball in the final third off the charts in Ligue 1, and would likely transition well to the Premier League.
Camara at £35m would mean United sign two midfielders for £69.5m. Leaving plenty for Fernandes to cost the higher bracket that West Ham have asked for.
While sections of the fanbase wouldn’t be thrilled with Camara because he isn’t a big name, it would be a data-driven, smart signing from Ineos, which have worked so well in recent years.
This is one United should be considering.
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