Man United are once again dipping into the transfer market, and this time the focus is firmly on the middle of the park.
Under boss Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils are planning a major midfield rebuild. But as ever with United, nothing comes without drama.
Reports (via TEAMtalk) suggest United are pushing for two young stars — Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.
Both are 21. Both are in demand. And both carry price tags that could give the club’s accountants sleepless nights.
Wharton has impressed since swapping Blackburn for Palace. His calmness on the ball and ability to control tempo have scouts “in love” with his game.
Yet Palace are in no rush to sell. Arsenal and Tottenham are reportedly circling, and a fee north of £60 million would be required. That figure alone shows this deal will not be easy.
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Baleba waiting in the wings for Man United?
The other name is Carlos Baleba. Brighton value him at around £100 million, similar to what they banked for Moises Caicedo.
For a player already compared to Caicedo, the price seems familiar if not frightening. What could tilt things in United’s favor is Baleba’s stance. Sources claim he is “very open” to moving to Old Trafford.
Amorim views Baleba as the kind of all-action midfielder his system needs. Strong in duels, smart in transition, and quick with the ball — the Cameroonian looks tailor-made for the role.
The catch? United would have to stretch their budget, and Financial Fair Play rules are a shadow over the dream of signing both targets.
Casemiro’s exit at the end of the season seems increasingly likely, with clubs in Saudi Arabia and Brazil monitoring him.
That adds urgency to United’s plans. A January move for Baleba has been mentioned, but a double swoop may only be possible in summer 2026.
For now, United fans can only watch and wonder. Will the club splash the cash again, or play it safe? One thing is certain — the midfield puzzle is about to get very interesting.
