Manchester United are in talks to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton before the transfer deadline. United have made a bid of around £60million, plus £5m in add-ons, to sign the midfielder.
Interest revived after last summer's valuation
The Reds were interested in signing Baleba last summer, but Brighton's valuation in excess of £100m cooled their interest. Baleba's form dipped throughout last season, leading Brighton's manager Fabian Hurzeler to suggest that transfer reports had affected the player.
Injury and potential impact
Baleba recently suffered an ankle ligament injury. The issue is not thought to be serious, but it could mean the 22-year-old would be unavailable to play immediately for United if a transfer can be agreed. The Cameroon international would become United's most expensive signing of the summer if Brighton agree to a sale.
Midfield overhaul underway
The Reds signed Andrey Santos in a £50m deal last month, and Youri Tielemans was signed for £35m. United planned to overhaul their midfield this summer following Casemiro's departure on a free transfer. Manuel Ugarte picked up a serious knee injury at the World Cup, further adding to the need for more reinforcements.
Michael Carrick called for more signings when he spoke in Dublin last week. "We always want to improve, we want to, you know, we want more, we need more, we keep looking for how we can do that, so that never stops. We're conscious of that and we've got to keep pushing," he said. Baleba made 23 starts for Brighton in the Premier League last season.
