Man United could target £53m star worth half of Carlos Baleba and three transfer alternatives

Manchester United are interested in signing Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, but may need to consider cheaper alternatives this window, with a rumoured £100million price tag set

Manchester United could look elsewhere if a move for Carlos Baleba does not materialise this window(Image: Getty)

Manchester United may consider more affordable options if they find themselves unable to finance a move for Carlos Baleba.

Brighton's phenom has caught the eye of Ruben Amorim, who is eager to bolster his midfield ahead of his inaugural full season in charge. United have reportedly been in touch with the Seagulls, who could demand approximately £100million for 21-year-old Baleba, given he still has three years left on his contract.

The Red Devils are thought to value him nearer to £70m, and there's speculation that Baleba might ask Brighton to lower their asking price. However, any potential deal would likely require United to sell additional players to increase their financial capabilities.

Adding to the issue, Manchester City are also reportedly keeping tabs on Baleba, who cost Brighton £23.2m when they secured him from Lille in 2023. If City don't make a move, United might choose to hold off until a future transfer window, by which point Brighton's asking price may have decreased.

But if Amorim decides he needs midfield reinforcements before the September 1 deadline, The Manchester Evening News brings you some less expensive alternatives.

Lamine Camara

The highly regarded 21-year-old from Monaco, previously linked with Tottenham, could be a possibility. His reported asking price is around £53m, nearly half of what it might cost to sign Baleba.

Camara has already showcased his skills on an English pitch, shining for Senegal in their 3-1 friendly triumph over England at the City Ground. Suited to the high-intensity game Amorim wishes to implement, Camara is skilled at both halting and initiating attacks.

Camara has impressed for Monaco(Image: Getty)

Hayden Hackney

United could consider several other less expensive options, including Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney, aged 22. Having been coached by ex-United midfielder Michael Carrick, who was dismissed by Boro earlier this summer, Hackney is adept at ball retention.

He also performs admirably when out of possession, covering a significant amount of ground. Although he hasn't played in the Premier League, he could be a promising prospect for the future and potentially a shrewd investment.

Hackney has long had Premier League admirers(Image: Getty)

Lucien Agoume

It appears inevitable that Agoume will soon make his mark in the Premier League, with Arsenal reportedly interested in the Sevilla midfielder. The 23-year-old impressed for France in the recent European Under-21 Championship, his last age-group tournament.

He is now aiming to elevate his performance for both club and country. A towering, aggressive midfielder, Agoume doesn't shy away from challenges, which could be exactly what Amorim's midfield requires.

The midfielder starred for France this summer(Image: Getty)

Adam Wharton

Wharton could offer a slightly more cost-effective alternative to Baleba. The England midfielder was rumoured to be on Liverpool's radar earlier this summer, with a potential transfer fee of £75-80m being discussed.

With his contract at Palace running until 2029 and no release clause in place, the FA Cup champions hold a strong bargaining position over one of their most valuable players. However, given his exceptional talent, it's likely that interest in him will continue to increase.

Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.

Make sure you don't miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.

You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.

And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.