Manchester United are continuing their midfield overhaul with plans to sign both Ederson from Atalanta and Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion, according to recent reports. The club is preparing a bid for Baleba despite Brighton demanding a fee of around £100 million for the 22-year-old Cameroonian international.
United’s interest in Baleba is not new, having tracked the player for months and making an attempt to sign him last summer. However, they were deterred by Brighton’s high asking price at the time. While Baleba’s recent form has been less consistent, with periods spent on the bench, Brighton remain firm on their valuation. Tottenham Hotspur are also emerging as strong competitors for Baleba’s signature, potentially leveraging his prior relationship with former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Alongside the pursuit of Baleba, United are nearing completion of a deal for Ederson. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that an agreement between the club and the player is in place, with a five-year contract prepared. The fee is expected to be around €45 million, with payment terms currently being discussed. Despite interest from another unnamed club, Ederson has reportedly prioritized a move to Old Trafford, awaiting United’s final approval to complete the transfer.
Romano detailed that United officials travelled to Italy to negotiate the Ederson deal and explore other potential business, including discussions regarding player exits. The club has a history of successful recruitment in Italy, having previously signed players like Rasmus Hojlund and Patrick Dorgu. With Casemiro departing at the end of his contract, bolstering the midfield is a priority for manager Michael Carrick. Ederson is widely anticipated to be Carrick’s first signing, providing much-needed depth and quality in the centre of the pitch. The addition of both Ederson and potentially Baleba would significantly strengthen United’s midfield options ahead of the new season.
