Headline: Manchester United Finalizes £65m Deal for Carlos Baleba Amid Midfield Revamp
Manchester United has reached an agreement for a £65 million deal to acquire Carlos Baleba as part of their efforts to bolster their midfield, securing the Brighton player as their third midfield signing this summer. The offer has the potential to increase by an additional £5 million, marking a revival of United’s interest in Baleba, a player they initially targeted last summer.
Earlier, Brighton had set a valuation of over £100 million for the 22-year-old and showed reluctance to part ways with him. However, Baleba’s price has decreased following a challenging year for the player.
United turned their attention back to Baleba after missing out on two midfield targets. Mateus Fernandes has signed with Tottenham from West Ham, while Elliot Anderson has transferred to Manchester City from Nottingham Forest. The club had also agreed to bring in Ederson from Atalanta, but the deal fell through due to medical concerns.
Although Baleba is currently recovering from an ankle issue, it is believed that this injury will not hinder his transfer process. The club expects no issues related to personal terms with the midfielder.
In this transfer window, Manchester United has already signed two midfielders: Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48 million and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million. However, they face challenges with the loss of Casemiro, while Manuel Ugarte is currently sidelined, and Mason Mount missed the last two pre-season friendlies.
Manchester United have agreed a £65m deal for Carlos Baleba as they look to make the Brighton player their third midfield signing of the summer.
United’s offer, which could rise by £5m, means they have resurrected their interest in Baleba, a player they first targeted last summer.
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Brighton then valued the 22-year-old at over £100m, but were also reluctant to sell, but Baleba’s price has dropped after a difficult year.
United have turned back to him after missing out on two midfielders they liked, with Mateus Fernandes instead joining Tottenham from West Ham and Elliot Anderson moving to Manchester City from Nottingham Forest.
They had also agreed to sign Ederson from Atalanta before a medical revealed concerns and the deal for the Brazil international fell through.
While Baleba is currently out after an ankle problem, it is not thought to keep him out for long or to be enough of an issue to prevent a transfer from going through. Personal terms are not expected to be an issue with the midfielder either.
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United have bought two midfielders in this transfer window, with Andrey Santos joining from Chelsea for £48m and Youri Tielemans arriving from Aston Villa for £35m.
But they have lost Casemiro while Manuel Ugarte is sidelined and Mason Mount has missed their last two-pre-season friendlies.
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