Man Utd Lock Onto January Transfer Target as Deal Gains Momentum
Manchester United are reportedly planning to secure a new midfielder by 2026 at the latest, though the caliber of their target could differ significantly.
Ruben Amorim received substantial financial support during the summer window. United invested approximately £216 million ($293.1 million) on five first-team signings. The majority of this expenditure was directed toward a completely revamped attacking line featuring Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, while Senne Lammens rejected Aston Villa on transfer deadline day to provide an additional goalkeeping choice.
The young Paraguayan defender Diego León was acquired as depth for the wide positions, yet the troublesome central midfield remained stubbornly unaddressed.
This vital area of the field will receive reinforcement through at least one signing in 2026, according to Fabrizio Romano. United were strongly connected with a pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba during the summer but were deterred by an eye-watering valuation exceeding £100 million.
The report suggests that United's pursuit of Baleba continues but questions whether the Red Devils will return for the Brighton midfielder. Only two other footballers in history have ever attracted a nine-figure transfer fee in January—Enzo Fernández's move to Chelsea in 2023 and Philippe Coutinho's 2018 transfer to Barcelona.
Even if Baleba remains unavailable at the start of the year, United have been suggested to pursue a more budget-friendly option. The Old Trafford club were connected with a move for Amorim's former Sporting CP skipper Morten Hjulmand during the summer. The 26-year-old Danish player is contracted until 2028 but wouldn't likely require anywhere close to the fee demanded for Baleba.
Nevertheless, as Arsenal learned during their difficult discussions for Viktor Gyökeres, Sporting can be challenging negotiators.
United have also been linked with interest in Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, but Oliver Glasner demonstrated that he won't part with a player he wishes to retain during the Marc Guéhi situation.