Manchester United Pursues Carlos Baleba Amid Transfer Activity

Manchester United is actively pursuing a deal for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, while uncertainty looms over the future of goalkeeper Andre Onana at Old Trafford. Reports indicate that the club’s management is keen to secure Baleba’s signature as part of their ongoing squad enhancements.

The Red Devils had previously considered a move for Baleba during the summer transfer window, but Brighton’s asking price exceeded £100 million, prompting United to rethink their strategy. Now, with the next phase of manager Ruben Amorim‘s squad rebuild underway, the 21-year-old Baleba has emerged as a top target. Alongside Baleba, United is also eyeing Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace and Morten Hjulmand from Sporting CP as potential additions to their midfield.

Reports reveal that Manchester United is prepared to break their transfer record of £89.3 million, previously set with the acquisition of Paul Pogba in August 2016, in order to secure a high-quality midfielder.

Uncertain Future for Andre Onana

The situation surrounding Onana remains fluid, as TEAMTalk reports that Manchester United has not ruled out the possibility of his departure. With several transfer windows still open globally, particularly in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, the club could face offers for the goalkeeper. Although no immediate move is anticipated, Onana’s position has been further complicated by the recent arrival of Belgian youth international Senne Lammens from Antwerp.

In parallel, Turkish club Trabzonspor is reportedly exploring a deal for Stefan Ortega, the Manchester City goalkeeper. Ortega, who may find himself as City’s third-choice keeper this season after the signings of James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma, is said to be considering his options, although no formal offer has been made yet.

Transfer Market Insights

The transfer market continues to be active, with Eintracht Frankfurt rejecting a €60 million bid from Al Ittihad for winger Jean-Mattéo Bahoya. The 20-year-old has enjoyed a strong start to the season, scoring two goals in his first two Bundesliga matches. Frankfurt values him at closer to €80 million, as he remains keen to participate in this season’s Champions League.

In another development, Al Ittihad has reached a verbal agreement to sign Pedro Henrique from Zenit St Petersburg. While the Saudi club and the player are eager to finalize the deal, Zenit is reportedly delaying any transfers until the mid-season window. Henrique, a promising forward, has been with Zenit since February 2024 and has netted six goals in 43 league appearances.

As the transfer window continues to unfold, other clubs are also showing interest in various players. Manchester United briefly considered a move for former striker Danny Welbeck but opted against it due to concerns regarding his age. Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Everton have all made inquiries about the availability of Kobbie Mainoo, while Al Rayyan is reportedly joining the race to sign Aleksandar Mitrovic from Al Hilal.

With the transfer deadline approaching on September 10, 2023, clubs are racing to finalize deals and bolster their squads ahead of the forthcoming competitions. As Manchester United navigates its own transfer ambitions, all eyes will remain on the evolving landscape of player movements across Europe.