MANCHESTER UNITED are planning to continue pushing for Carlos Baleba’s signature.
Brighton are understood to want around £120m for the 21-year-old, with owner Tony Bloom known for sticking to his guns.
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But the Old Trafford hierarchy remain unfazed by Brighton’s refusal and are currently figuring out how to construct a payment package.
According to The Independent, United are considering an initial £80million fee with the rest made up of add-ons.
There would be a will to send a player such as Roma-linked Jadon Sancho the other way, but it’s unlikely that Brighton will go for that.
But it’s also understood that Baleba is priced above what United would be prepared to pay this summer.
He is the midfielder that United’s Ineos hierarchy would wish to sign were they not operating within tight PSR rules.
Fans questioned how the club could afford to splash £200million on three new signings Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
But it’s become clear that the PSR scare stories were perhaps a overblown, with United operating within the guidelines after spreading out contracts instalments.
However, splashing another 100-odd million on a player might be too big an ask.
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United are on the hunt for a dynamic midfielder to go in Ruben Amorim‘s 3-4-3 pivot after unconvincing displays by Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro in pre-season.
Academy hero and breakout England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is also struggling to find a consistent place and position in Amorim’s squad.
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Baleba joined Brighton in 2023 but has already secured his position as a key figure for the Seagulls, making 34 appearances in a season where Brighton finished eighth.
He is another example of Brighton’s impressive scouting system, signed as a replacement for British record transfer Moises Caicedo – who, in turn, took the place of Yves Bissouma after a big money move to Tottenham.
This is a tried-and-tested formula for Brighton as they’ve lost key players in the past, such as Alexis Mac Allister, only for others to step up and fill in.
Baleba previously told The Sun that praise from players like Declan Rice, Cunha and Joelinton, as well as watching Man City star Rodri lift the Ballon D’or, has encouraged him to set his sights on the most prestigious individual award in football.
Baleba missed Brighton‘s last three pre-season games, having not played since mid-July with a reported knee injury.
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