Manchester United pursue Baleba
Manchester United are reportedly nearing an agreement to sign midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton. The Cameroon international has been a target for United since last summer, when Brighton reportedly valued him at approximately £100m. However, his price has since decreased.
United have submitted an initial offer of £60m, which includes an additional £5m in add-ons. This figure is below Brighton’s current valuation for the player, but discussions between the clubs are ongoing. Baleba has reportedly agreed to personal terms with Manchester United.
Baleba made 35 appearances for Brighton last season, where he received seven yellow cards while playing as a defensive midfielder. His performances were described as uneven during the previous campaign. He is currently recovering from an ankle injury sustained during a pre-season training camp in Austria, and is expected to be out for another two to three weeks.
Midfield reinforcements at Old Trafford
Should the deal for Baleba be finalised, he would become Manchester United’s third midfield acquisition of the summer. The club has already signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48m and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35m in July.
Baleba’s preferred role is as a number six, and his potential arrival is expected to bring dynamism and energy to United’s midfield, creating competition for a starting position alongside players like Santos. The club’s opening Premier League fixture is scheduled for Saturday against Hull.
United are also reportedly still looking to strengthen their left-back options, with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall and Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly among the candidates being considered.
Other transfer market activity
Elsewhere in the transfer market, Arsenal are reportedly increasing their interest in Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa. Aston Villa have completed the signings of goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma and defender Matteo Ruggeri from Atletico Madrid. Additionally, Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal is linked with a £40m move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
Al-Hilal has also been linked with Harry Kane, although the England captain is currently in discussions regarding a new contract with Bayern Munich. Everton, meanwhile, has been seeking a long-term replacement for Seamus Coleman. Everton’s chief executive officer, Angus Kinnear, stated that the right-back market is moving slower than anticipated, but expressed confidence in securing a new signing for that position this summer.
Sunderland’s deal for Toulouse left-back Dayann Methalie is currently in doubt after the player reportedly failed part of his medical examination. Methalie had flown in for his medical after a verbal agreement was reached for an initial £23.9m, with a further £1.7m in potential add-ons. He has since returned to France, and the deal is on hold as further negotiations are expected.
Coventry City, preparing for their return to the Premier League, have been active in the transfer window. They have signed Sidiki Cherif and Nigeria international striker Taiwo Awoniyi. Other new arrivals include Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Koji Miyoshi, Milan van Ewijk, Haji Wright, and Bobby Thomas. Coventry manager Frank Lampard aims to maintain the club’s Premier League status following their return to the top flight after 25 years.
Liverpool, who conceded 53 goals in the Premier League last season, have seen experienced defenders Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson depart. However, they have brought in Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo, while Kostas Tsimikas has returned from loan. Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are recovering from injuries, and youngster Mor Talla Ndiaye has impressed in pre-season. There remains a question at right-back, with Conor Bradley out due to a knee injury, but Jeremie Frimpong is expected to be trusted in that role.
Jack Grealish, who made 22 appearances for Everton last season before a foot injury ended his campaign prematurely, has returned to his parent club, Manchester City. Everton CEO Angus Kinnear confirmed that the club has remained in contact with Grealish, but acknowledged he is currently a Manchester City player.
Brighton’s squad is scheduled to fly to Norway on Wednesday for Thursday’s Uefa Conference League play-off first-leg match against Tromso.
Source: bbc.co.uk