Manchester United could well move for a permanent midfielder in the January window after conceding that the position needs strengthening.
In recent years, the winter window has proven to be a quiet one for United, who instead look to make all of their mega-money signings in the summer – as is the case for a host of other clubs.
That did change last term, though, when INEOS sanctioned the arrival of full-back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce in a £25 million deal mid-season.
Ruben Amorim was keen to see a new left-back brought in to better suit his system amid Luke Shaw’s prolonged absence through injury, and Dorgu was deemed a perfect fit.
What midfielder are United interested in?
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
This time around, a midfield reinforcement is taking top priority on INEOS’ shortlist, with it being one position that was overlooked during the summer.
United did hold talks with one target in the form of Carlos Baleba, however.
The Brighton and Hove Albion starlet, 21, has quickly become one of the most coveted youngsters in Europe ever since he took to the Premier League like a duck to water in 2023/2024.
It was claimed at the time talks were taking place between all parties that Baleba would be keen on the move to Old Trafford, although he wouldn’t go as far as forcing a transfer and putting Brighton in a difficult situation.
Instead, he was comfortable continuing with the Seagulls and adding to his top-flight experience, leading to talks eventually fizzling out.
Journo: January signing not ruled out for Reds
Whether United would look to test Brighton’s resolve in three months’ time remains to be seen – but you can be almost certain of the fact they’d have to shell out around £100m to get a deal over the line.
“Possibly, yeah. It’s clearly the one position now where they need something,” Chris Wheeler told The United Stand when pressed on the prospect of a winter coup in the middle of the park.
“They would always say, ‘if it’s a player we were going to get anyway, if we can bring that deal forward, then we’d look at it.’ So I don’t necessarily see [it] as [a Marcel] Sabitzer[-type signing], that kind of thing.”
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