Manchester United have submitted a bid worth around £60-65million for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba as they look to complete a third midfield addition of the summer window, though negotiations remain ongoing between the two clubs.
Brighton are understood to value the 22-year-old Cameroon international more highly than United's current offer, but the two sides continue to talk as United attempt to close a deal that could still see the fee rise by a further £5million.
The move represents a revival of interest that first surfaced last year, when Brighton were reportedly demanding in excess of £100million for Baleba and showed little willingness to negotiate. Since then, the player's stock has reportedly dipped following a challenging campaign, prompting United to reengage in pursuit of a player they have long admired.
United's renewed focus on Baleba comes after they missed out on alternative midfield targets earlier in the window. Mateus Fernandes opted to join Tottenham Hotspur from West Ham United, while Elliot Anderson completed a move to Manchester City from Nottingham Forest rather than Old Trafford. United also thought they had secured a deal for Atalanta's Ederson, only for the transfer to collapse after concerns emerged during the Brazilian's medical examination.
Despite those setbacks, United have already strengthened their midfield options this summer, bringing in Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48million and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35million. However, the club has also suffered departures and absences in that area of the pitch, with Casemiro leaving the club, Manuel Ugarte currently sidelined, and Mason Mount missing United's last two pre-season friendlies.
Time is becoming a factor in the pursuit of Baleba. United open their Premier League campaign away at newly-promoted Hull City on Saturday, with kick-off at 12.30pm BST. Should United wish to have Baleba available for that fixture, they would need to register him by midday on Friday, August 21. Even if a deal is struck before that deadline, it appears highly unlikely that Baleba would be ready to feature so soon, given his lack of match sharpness.
The midfielder has been absent from all of Brighton's pre-season friendlies while recovering from an ankle injury. His most recent appearance for the Seagulls came, coincidentally, in a 3-0 defeat to Manchester United on the final day of last season. Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has downplayed concerns over the severity of the issue.
"In regards to the injury to Carlos [Baleba], I am hopeful that it is not that bad and that we will see him back on the pitch quite soon," Hurzeler said at a Brighton Fans' Forum earlier this month. "You don't need to worry that much about him."
While the ankle problem is expected to sideline Baleba for a period, it is not believed to be serious enough to derail any prospective transfer to Old Trafford. United will hope that clarity over his fitness, combined with continued talks over the fee, can help accelerate a move that has been years in the making.
Based on reporting from Independent Football and The Standard.