Manchester United travel to the North East to face Sunderland on Sunday, in their penultimate away match of the Premier League season.
The Red Devils secured their place in next season’s Champions League on Sunday, courtesy of a 3-2 win over rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.
While it remains to be seen whether or not Michael Carrick will be given the role of head coach on a permanent basis, off the pitch it appears that the Manchester giants are working to sign a midfielder.
As reported by CaughtOffside, Man United have identified Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba as a possible long-term replacement for outgoing veteran Casemiro.
It was announced earlier this year that Casemiro, 34, will depart Old Trafford at the end of the current campaign, and those in charge of the Red Devils’ recruitment are seemingly keen to find a replacement.
Baleba, 22, joined the Seagulls from French side Lille in 2023 and has since been a regular starter on the south coast.
Baleba is on the radar of Manchester United as they look for a new midfielder (Photo: Simon Dack/Alamy)
In total the Cameroon international has made 109 appearances across all competitions for Brighton, including 32 so far this term.
Last summer Baleba was heavily linked with a move away from The Amex, with United one of the clubs interested in the player, but he ultimately stayed put on the south coast and has continued to impress for Fabian Hurzeler’s side this term.
It is also claimed that the midfielder himself would potentially be open to the idea of a move to Manchester United, having enjoyed three successful seasons with his current side.
Baleba’s contract with Brighton is set to expire in the summer of 2028, putting the Seagulls under very little pressure to sell him this summer.
Brighton have sold several high profile players in recent seasons – including Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Joao Pedro – and it appears increasingly likely that Baleba will be the next star to depart The Amex for a significant fee.