Manchester United Pursues Baleba as Transfer Window Closes

Manchester United is actively negotiating a deal for Carlos Baleba, the 21-year-old midfielder from Brighton & Hove Albion. Reports indicate that the Red Devils are keen on securing Baleba’s signature as a part of their ongoing squad rebuild. This comes as speculation surrounds André Onana‘s future at Old Trafford, with potential exits still on the table.

The club had previously considered a summer bid for Baleba, but Brighton’s valuation exceeded £100 million, a figure Manchester United found prohibitive. With a new strategy in place, Baleba has emerged as a leading target, alongside players like Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and Morten Hjulmand from Sporting CP. According to TEAMtalk, United is prepared to exceed their previous transfer record of £89.3 million, set when they signed Paul Pogba in August 2016.

Onana’s Future and Other Transfer Developments

United has not fully dismissed the possibility of Onana leaving the club, as reported by TEAMtalk. With several transfer windows still open globally, particularly in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, there may be opportunities for the goalkeeper, who has fallen out of favor. While no immediate move is expected, the situation remains dynamic and could evolve in the coming weeks. The uncertainty around Onana has intensified following the recent signing of Senne Lammens, a Belgian youth international from Antwerp, which adds competition for the starting goalkeeper position.

In other transfer news, Turkish club Trabzonspor is exploring a deal for Stefan Ortega, the German goalkeeper from Manchester City. Although Ortega is evaluating the option, no formal offer has been made yet. The 32-year-old is anticipated to serve as City’s third-choice goalkeeper this season after the arrivals of James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Meanwhile, Eintracht Frankfurt has rejected a bid of €60 million from Al Ittihad for winger Jean-Mattéo Bahoya. The 20-year-old has made an impressive start to the season, netting two goals in his first two Bundesliga matches. Frankfurt has set his value closer to €80 million, emphasizing their intention to retain him for the Champions League season.

Notable Rumors and Transfer Interest

Transfer discussions are also circulating around various players, including Manchester United’s former striker Danny Welbeck. The club had shown interest in Welbeck last month but hesitated due to his age, as he approaches 35 this November. Additionally, clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Everton inquired about Kobbie Mainoo, with Napoli also keen to secure a loan deal for the young midfielder.

In a further development, Al Rayyan has entered the race to sign Aleksandar Mitrovic from Al Hilal, with interest also coming from NEOM and several Turkish clubs. Free agent Lorenzo Insigne has been offered to Lazio following his departure from Toronto FC, reflecting his close ties with Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri.

As the transfer window nears its conclusion, clubs are scrambling to finalize deals that could significantly impact their squads moving forward. Manchester United’s pursuit of Baleba exemplifies their ambition to strengthen their midfield, while the futures of several players, including Onana, remain uncertain as negotiations continue.