Manchester United are expected to complete the signing of Carlos Baleba before the summer transfer window closes, with a medical reportedly set ahead of a £70m move. The Red Devils are not expected to stop there, with a new left-back already planned as their next priority.
Baleba set to bolster midfield
United return to Premier League action on Saturday lunchtime with a trip to newly promoted Hull City. Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos are both competing for starting places after joining from Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively, and they could soon be joined by another midfielder as a swoop for Baleba is back on the cards.
While Baleba appears set to be the next arrival, he may not be the final one of the window.
Left-back identified as next target
Once United have wrapped up their pursuit of Baleba, the club are anticipated to switch focus towards landing a new left-back as their fifth senior summer acquisition, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Luke Shaw remains United's preferred choice in that role, but the extra demands of Champions League competition suggest the club might pursue additions both immediately and for the future. Lewis Hall and Jorge Salinas have both been earmarked as potential acquisitions, while Alejandro Balde's name has also emerged in connection with a United move this week.
Unless Newcastle can be persuaded to soften their stance on Hall, United may need to be patient regarding the former Chelsea talent.
Arsenal confirm Lewis-Skelly stance
United have been handed an update on Myles Lewis-Skelly, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta dismissing departure rumours and insisting the England international will "100 per cent" remain at the Emirates Stadium when the transfer window shuts. The comments appear to end any prospects of an Old Trafford move following suggestions United or rivals Chelsea might pursue the youngster.
"The players that have been raised in our system, and they feel generally that love and that connection with the club, bring something else, there's no question about that," Arteta added. "We need to look after them in a really special way because they bring value that is very difficult to find. That's why, when we can, we want to protect those assets as much as possible, develop them and make them extremely important for the club."
