Manchester United’s summer recruitment drive has been dominated by high-profile attacking arrivals, but the club’s attention has quietly turned towards strengthening Ruben Amorim’s midfield options for the long term.
After United all but sealed the deal for Benjamin Sesko in a blockbuster move, United are aware that balancing their squad with a dominant ball-winner will be crucial if they are to mount a genuine title challenge.
Midfield control was one of United’s biggest shortcomings last season, with the side often overrun against elite opposition.
Ruben Amorim and his recruitment team have been exploring a range of targets across Europe, keeping a keen eye on players with both defensive discipline and technical quality.
The name at the top of their current wishlist is Brighton’s rising star Carlos Baleba – but any move will have to wait.
According to talkSPORT, Brighton have made it abundantly clear to United that the 21-year-old is not for sale in this transfer window.
Senior figures at the Amex Stadium see Carlos Baleba as an integral part of their immediate plans and are unwilling to part ways until at least next summer.
In fact, the Seagulls believe the midfielder could one day be worth as much as Moises Caicedo, who left for Chelsea in a British record £115 million deal.
Baleba, who joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 for £23 million, has already made 77 appearances for the club, 61 of them in the Premier League.
His impact last season was huge – ranking seventh in the division for ball recoveries with 197 in just 34 matches.
That level of defensive output is exactly what United have been missing, but they now face a frustrating wait.
United fans will be hoping that Baleba can arrive this summer – with the midfield very much lacking the class, composure and ability that Baleba possesses.
