£50m star is now “super keen” to join Man Utd

Pre-season gets underway this week at Old Trafford, yet those of a Manchester United persuasion are still waiting to make a first signing of the summer, having missed out on deals for the likes of Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes in recent weeks.

Atalanta’s Ederson is expected to be the first arrival as a matter of when and not if, although even that deal is yet to be officially confirmed, with concerns looming over the status of United’s midfield search.

Those worries are justified, although this INEOS regime do have credit in the bank following a strong run of recent business, with almost every arrival in 2025 having paid off so far.

Taking a careful, considered approach, rather than paying over the odds for targets, is a wise move, yet there will come a time in which the Red Devils will need to get the chequebook out at some stage.

£50m star is now “super keen” to join Man Utd this summer

With Anderson and Fernandes out of the picture, alongside the likes of Sandro Tonali, the shortlist is beginning to be trimmed at Old Trafford, with the real marquee names beginning to head elsewhere instead.

One man who would fall into the ‘statement signing’ category is Aurelien Tchouameni, the Frenchman believed to be facing an uncertain future at Real Madrid following the appointment of Jose Mourinho.

Reports have indicated that United officials have flown out to begin negotiations regarding a deal for the 26-year-old, with there a sense that he remains the dream target for Jason Wilcox and co.

There are other options on the table, however, with Fabrizio Romano – speaking on his YouTube channel – revealing that Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba is still intent on joining the club, even if United’s own interest has waned somewhat.

“Carlos Baleba would love that [a move to Man Utd] in the sense that Baleba already one year ago agreed personal terms with Man United. He was ready to go to Man United one year ago without European football.

“So imagine how much he would like to go to to United. But at the moment, Baleba and his agents are yet to receive any fresh message from Manchester United.”

Romano continued: “So while for Tchouameni is a name always discussed internally, and while Andre Santos is a player that they discussed with his agents and is a target in the sense of being in the list, for Baleba at the moment United are aware of the player desire. He would be super keen on joining Manchester United, but at the moment United have not returned with an approach or a proposal to Brighton.”

As Romano noted, the 22-year-old was a target for INEOS last summer, although they baulked at his reported £100m asking price. Now, it has been suggested he could cost closer to £50m, following a difficult season with the Seagulls.

Why Baleba could be a perfect Tchouameni alternative for Man Utd

With Casemiro’s contract having run out last month, the Red Devils could look to Madrid again to sign a suitable replacement, with Tchouameni arguably the “best defensive midfielder in the world“.

Whether Madrid would truly sanction a sale for the former Monaco man remains to be seen, however, with United likely to be wary of potentially being used as part of any contract negotiations, just as was the case in the past with the likes of Sergio Ramos.

If Tchouameni is to prove unattainable, then, Baleba could well represent a cheaper, youthful alternative, even with the Cameroonian not exactly ripping it up at the Amex last time out.

With Kobbie Mainoo the star attraction in his ball-playing number eight role, Michael Carrick’s side are in need of a genuinely dominant and athletic number six to partner him, following Casemiro’s departure.

Both Tchouameni and Baleba fit the bill in that regard, more so than young Fernandes, the pair both dominant, powerhouse midfielders who can eat up ground so effectively from their deep-lying berths.

It wasn’t too long ago that Baleba was hailed as “one of the best midfielders in the Premier League” by analyst and Como scout, Ben Mattinson, having looked like the heir to Moises Caicedo’s throne on the south coast.

The left-footer did only start 23 league games last time out, following United’s summer interest, yet he particularly impressed the year prior, such an asset both in and out of possession.

In 2024/25, for instance, he averaged a stellar 3.7 tackles and interceptions won per game, while averaging 5.8 ball recoveries and boasting an 88% pass accuracy rate.

That record certainly isn’t too dissimilar to Tchouameni’s own record in LaLiga last term, the French World Cup star averaging 3.5 tackles and interceptions, alongside 4.4 ball recoveries and a 92% pass accuracy rate.

Neither man is necessarily likely to fill Casemiro’s goalscoring void, although they do boast a knack for the spectacular, with Tchouameni memorably curling home from range against England four years ago, while Baleba claimed the Premier League’s goal of the month award following a stunning strike against West Ham United in May 2025.

Both players are real pillars in front of the back four, the type of midfielders who aren’t so easily bettered in the duel. Indeed, in 2024/25, Baleba was dribbled past just 0.6 times per game, while Tchouameni only just bettered that record in 2025/26 with a 0.5 average.

That would represent a stark difference to the chaos that Casemiro at times allowed, the Brazilian having been dribbled past 1.6 times per game across his final season at United, even while looking rejuvenated under Carrick.

The Red Devils need a properly mobile, dominant figure again to partner Mainoo, with either Tchouameni or Baleba set to provide that.