Manchester United have made contact as they look to secure another stunning summer signing, according to a bombshell dropped by David Ornstein.
After completing deals for Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon and Bryan Mbeumo, United are pushing to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko for a fee of £74 million after he agreed personal terms for a potential five-year deal.
But while those final conversations take place for the Newcastle United target, United are looking to improve their squad even further - specifically in the No.6 position in midfield.
According to Ornstein of The Athletic, United have opened dialogue with Brighton - via intermediaries - regarding the possibility of 21-year-old midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Advert
The Cameroonian has been linked with Manchester City and Liverpool in the past but United are now exploring the conditions of what would be a huge deal.
Brighton do not wish to sell Baleba, who has three years remaining on his contract at the AMEX Stadium.
However, with options a little light in that area of the pitch, United are very much interested and the news has understandably excited a number of their fans.
One fan on X commented: "Wait what, where is all this money coming from."
Another simply wrote: "WHAT???!!!"
A third added: "We could actually win the league."
A fourth chimed in: "How are we going pull this?!! Insane transfer window if this happens."
How much will Man United have to pay for Baleba?
Brighton signed Baleba from Lille for a fee of £26 million and they would be entitled to 20% of any future transfer fee above what they sold him for.
The Seagulls have been accustomed to selling their star players for huge profits in recent seasons, with Joao Pedro already moving to Chelsea for a fee of £60 million earlier this summer.
The Brazilian completed a trident of big-money arrivals to go from the Seaside club to Stamford Bridge after Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo, who is Brighton's record sale at £115 million.
According to a report from L'Equipe, City made enquiries back in the January transfer window and £104 million was the price mentioned for Baleba.
While Liverpool and Arsenal are also mentioned as suitors, it's noted that Ruben Amorim has "made the midfielder one of the pillars of his future project".
Josh Lawless