Manchester United open talks to sign star midfielder from PL rivals: Reports

Manchester United have commenced talks with fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion over a move to sign midfielder Carlos Baleba, as per reports. The Red Devils are now looking to strengthen their midfield after focusing mostly on attacking reinforcements since the beginning of the summer transfer window.

Reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that the Red Devils approached Brighton to find out their conditions for a deal for the young midfielder. The Seagulls are not looking to sell and will place a steep price tag on the former Lille man this summer.

Carlos Baleba joined Brighton in the summer of 2023 as a direct replacement for Moises Caicedo, who was then on the verge of a move to Chelsea. The 21-year-old quickly adapted to the pace of the Premier League, becoming a key player for the Seagulls under Fabian Hurzeler and his predecessor Roberto De Zerbi.

Ruben Amorim's side are looking to replace Christian Eriksen, who left the club at the end of the 2024-25 season as a free agent. They have just four senior central midfielders, a situation that often forces Amorim to deploy Bruno Fernandes in the position.

Cameroon international Baleba made 40 appearances across all competitions for the Seagulls last season, scoring four goals. The young midfielder has three years left on his contract with Hurzeler's side, with the club retaining an option to extend his deal by another 12 months.

Manchester United have spent heavily on Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo this summer and are closing in on Benjamin Sesko. The Red Devils may be unable to meet Brighton's asking price for Baleba this summer and are not the only side interested in the midfielder.

Highly-rated striker reaches agreement with Manchester United on personal terms: Reports

RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko has reached an agreement on personal terms with Manchester United ahead of a possible move, as per reports. The Red Devils appear set to beat rivals Newcastle United to the signature of the striker.

Fabrizio Romano revealed (via Football365) that Sesko has an agreement in place on a contract until 2030 with Manchester United. The Slovenia international is set to leave Leipzig this summer and the Red Devils appear keen on taking him to Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim's side have submitted an offer of €85 million for the 22-year-old, who scored 21 times across all competitions last season. Their offer has yet to be accepted by the Bundesliga side, but there is a growing confidence that a deal will be reached soon.

About the author

Sulayman is a European and international football writer at Sportskeeda covering news and transfer rumors. He has an overall experience of 4 years, having previously worked at the likes of SportsRation and ExtraTimeTalk. His tryst with the sport happened at a young age, playing it at home and watching the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Sulayman has a good feel for the game, which is reflected in his descriptive articles. He double checks information via multiple sources for accuracy, and only uses top-tier platforms like Transfermarkt and Opta for statistical information. His experience and exploits in the industry have led Sulayman to cover the Nigerian Professional League for three years along with games involving the Nigerian national team. He has also worked in F1, joining hands with industry veterans to provide a smooth viewing experience in Nigeria.

Sulayman hails Lionel Messi as the one true GOAT, and his brace in Argentina’s 2005 U20 FIFA World Cup final win over Nigeria left a lasting impact on him. He also supports Chelsea at club level, having followed their dominance under Jose Mourinho. Sulayman also follows other leagues with Nigerian players like Eredivisie, Saudi Pro League, Turkish Super Lig, and more. When not writing, he enjoys cooking and eating.

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Edited by Sulayman Salahudeen