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Man Utd Considering Fresh Move for Carlos Baleba
Manchester United are considering a fresh move to bolster their midfield with a £100m star this summer, according to Football Insider’s Wayne Veysey.
The Red Devils have made midfield upgrades their priority for this window, and have already completed a £50m deal for Brazil international Andrey Santos from Chelsea. A deal for Atalanta’s Ederson had also been agreed before the club pulled out, while they have seen moves for Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes, and Aurelien Tchouameni all fall to the wayside.
That has seen the club begin to look at potential alternatives, and that has taken them back to a familiar face in the market.
Man Utd Considering Fresh Baleba Move
According to FI, Man Utd are considering a fresh move to try and sign Brighton star Carlos Baleba this summer.
Baleba was targeted by United last summer and agreed personal terms over a move, but the Seagulls put a £100m price tag on his head, which meant it never progressed. But with the Cameroon international keen on a move, and Brighton more open to a sale this time around, United are now looking at him once again.
“I still think there’s midfielders on the radar for Man United,” Veysey said.
“They’ll be obviously delighted to get a deal for Andrey Santos over the line. They might revisit a potential deal for Carlos Baleba at Brighton who they were interested in signing last summer and is still very much on their radar.
“And if they get an indication that Brighton could maybe drop their asking price for Baleba, then they might step up their interest in him.
“Man United ideally were looking to bring in three midfielders this summer with Casemiro leaving, and now Ugarte is out for a long-term injury as well, so they’re a bit short in that department.”
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Baleba Would Be Perfect Addition
Man Utd already have Kobbie Mainoo and Santos who are young midfielders looking to develop into top stars in the future, and ideally they need top-flight experience alongside them to help that.
Baleba may be young, but he has shown that he is more than capable of playing at the highest level, despite a difficult campaign in 2025/26, and United would be very smart to bring him in and secure his prime years at Old Trafford.
Should the Seagulls drop their price, as is expected, then it could be the ideal solution to their midfield problems.
Mikel Arteta is about to lose one of his Arsenal favourites, with a deal expected to close imminently. The Gunners are in the midst of an intriguing summer after their Premier League title success last season. The Gunners must be careful not to disrupt the nucleus of their squad, but Arteta knows there are improvements needed to stay ahead in the Premier League and to catch the likes of PSG and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Arsenal want a left-winger upgrade and a new number 8, while they could yet improve other areas if exits leave gaps, for example in the case of Gabriel Jesus, who will likely depart.
Arteta now set to lose one of his favourites
With Arsenal looking to strengthen on the left, Leandro Trossard has been the first player to seek an exit due to wanting regular starts. One of the Gunners’ biggest challenges this summer will be keeping some of their important squad players who are going to be offered starting roles elsewhere, and Trossard is the first to take up one of those opportunities.
The Belgian arguably had his best season as an Arsenal player last term, playing a vital role in the league and European success. But he also knows he is about to be replaced in the starting XI, and at 31 years of age, he wants to play regular first team football, now likely in the last year of his prime.
Besiktas have now moved to strike a deal worth a touch over £17million, or 20million euros specifically.
Trossard has already been pictured in a Besiktas shirt, and he is now set to fly to Istanbul to complete his move, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Arteta loved Trossard’s consistency
Speaking about Trossard back in January, Arteta said: “I think his level of understanding and consistency, he’s got ability. But the level of consistency he’s showing this season in particular, I think, has been exceptional. I think he’s really clicking with the team in every aspect of the game and he’s a player that provides something different to what we have.”
He added towards the end of the season: “I think he’s been very consistent, very stable, but as have all of the front players I would say, because they have contributed through the season so far in a great way, whether it’s starting or as an impact player. They’re in a great moment.”
It’s clear Arteta was a huge fan of Trossard’s, keeping faith in the Belgian even when he had difficult patches of form during the season before last, but very few are safe in this Arsenal project that is constantly seeking to improve.
Arsenal are expected to open formal talks with Aston Villa for Morgan Rogers, while Inter are considering an improved offer for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones.
Aston Villa are now said to be eyeing a proven Premier League commodity as they contemplate further improving their midfield. Unai Emery was dealt a big blow ahead of the new season by Manchester United, who snapped up Youri Tielemans after paying his £36million release clause.
The Belgian midfielder was crucial to Villa’s success, but they must continue on, and it looks like Johan Manzambi will be recruited to plug the midfield gap. But there could yet be more to come in the midfield, with Emery well aware of the serious depth he needs ahead of a Champions League campaign.
Aston Villa could move for Joao Palhinha
Villa are now being linked with a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha, who is up for sale this summer. Palhinha enjoyed a superb spell at Fulham to earn a £50million move to Bayern, but things did not work out in Germany. A loan spell with Tottenham followed last term, and while Spurs had a disastrous campaign, Palhinha was one of the most reliable players.
Despite that, Tottenham did not take up their £26million or so option to buy due to spending big money on Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, meaning Palhinha remains available and very much up for sale.
According to Record, Benfica are targeting the Portuguese midfielder as they look to kick-start life post José Mourinho, but Villa are named as the Lisbon side’s main competitors, especially after Tielemans’ departure.
It’s claimed Bayern will sell for £21.2million this summer, and Benfica are willing to pay, but they would prefer a loan deal with the obligation to buy, which could open the door for Villa, who could comfortably pay upfront.
Palhinha a universally praised midfielder
Palhinha has been a steady performer throughout his career, and back in 2023, then Fulham boss Marco Silva said: “He leads through his attitude, he’s not the most vocal guy and he’s improving his English as well. I want him to be more vocal and in that position it’s important. His attitude, his commitment, the way he leads the others around are things that are hard to find in football.
“In moments (when) we lose the ball, his reaction is impressive and we want to take the best from him and in other moments we want him to keep improving. We won the ball in a high area and our players took the right decisions. Then, the finish from Joao was great.”
Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi, who ultimately changed his mind on signing Palhinha, said late last season: “We have to start from this type of person. We need reliable people as well as reliable players and Palhinha is one of the best. I want to see players with the same attitude, with the same passion, with the same spirit and personality. We are lucky to have Palhinha with us.”
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