Man United transfer news: Red Devils could use member of 'bomb squad' to land leading target Carlos Baleba

Manchester United are allegedly considering offering unwanted attacker Jadon Sancho to Brighton & Hove Albion as part of a deal for midfielder Carlos Baleba.

Manchester United are reportedly considering offering unwanted attacker Jadon Sancho to Brighton & Hove Albion as part of a deal for midfielder Carlos Baleba.

The Red Devils have identified Baleba as their leading target in the latter stages of the transfer window, but Brighton are believed to value the Cameroon international in excess of £100m.

According to The Independent, Man United transfer chiefs are currently working on a package, with the club thought to be willing to pay an initial £80m, with the rest following in add-ons.

However, the report claims that another option is to include a player as a makeweight, and Sancho could be used, with the Englishman not in Ruben Amorim's plans moving forward.

Baleba is said to be keen to make the move to Old Trafford, where he would be in line for a huge salary increase, while Man United have shown that they still have an incredible pull by signing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko this summer without European football.

Man United 'could use Sancho' to land Baleba

Sancho spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Chelsea, scoring five goals and registering 10 assists in 41 appearances in all competitions.

The Blues had been looking to bring in Sancho on a permanent basis, but they could not come to an agreement with the 25-year-old over personal terms, which led to them paying a £5m penalty fee to Man United.

Sancho has been heavily linked with a move to Juventus this summer, while it is understood that Borussia Dortmund have also been in talks over re-signing the ex-Manchester City youngster.

However, the forward remains at Old Trafford for the moment, and he has one more year left to run on his contract, having penned a five-year deal upon his arrival from Dortmund in 2021.

Sancho is a part of the 'bomb squad' at Man United alongside Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia, with all four currently not involved in the first team at the club.

Will Man United sign Baleba this summer?

One thing is for sure, Man United are doing all they can to bring in Baleba from Brighton.

Red Devils head coach Amorim is desperate to boost his squad with a central midfielder, and it is not a surprise that Baleba has been identified as his leading target due to the 21-year-old's qualities.

However, Brighton are not thought to be willing to go under £100m, while it is difficult to see Sancho moving to the Amex, so Man United's pursuit of the Cameroonian may ultimately end in frustration.

Atalanta BC's Ederson and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton are seen as potential alternatives, and it remains to be seen whether Man United are forced to drop their Baleba pursuit in order to work on other targets.

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