Manchester United have stepped back from pursuing a deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba due to the club’s high valuation, with Fulham’s Sander Berge now emerging as a serious target in the midfield rebuild, according to TEAMtalk. The Red Devils had identified several central midfield options following Casemiro’s departure and the injury to Manuel Ugarte, initially including Aurelien Tchouameni, Alex Scott, and Berge alongside Baleba.
United have already added Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos to their midfield options this summer, but continue to seek further reinforcement after Atalanta’s Ederson became unavailable. While United admired Baleba’s qualities, Brighton are reportedly seeking a fee exceeding £75 million, potentially reaching £100 million, a figure United are unwilling to meet given other priorities within the squad.
Jason Wilcox, leading United’s recruitment, is now focusing on more attainable targets. Though Alex Scott of Bournemouth remains of interest, his rejection of a new contract has not necessarily made a deal easier, with Bournemouth maintaining a significant valuation. Roma’s Manu Kone is also still under consideration, with an asking price around £50 million, though some within the club remain hesitant at that price point.
Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga has been offered to United as an alternative to Tchouameni, representing a potentially high-quality, albeit expensive, option. However, Sander Berge, valued at under £40 million, is now a primary focus for INEOS, due to his Premier League experience and potential to elevate his game alongside higher-quality players. United also continue to assess options at left-back, with Lewis Hall of Newcastle as a priority, and in attack, with Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye identified as potential additions, dependent on the future of Marcus Rashford.
The situation surrounding Rashford, who has attracted interest from Barcelona, is a key factor in United’s attacking plans. The club are reluctant to agree to another loan deal, but a permanent transfer may prove difficult to finalize. The coming weeks are expected to be crucial for United’s summer transfer business, with strengthening the holding midfield position remaining a top priority.
