Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has encouraged the club to ‘break the bank’ for Carlos Baleba, claiming the Brighton midfielder would have a ‘huge impact’ on Ruben Amorim’s squad.
Determined to put their wretched season behind them, Old Trafford bosses have set out their stall by bringing in Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha for a combined fee of around £125million.
Teenage defender Diego Leon remains the only other addition this summer, but the Red Devils are working hard behind the scenes to further strengthen across a number of areas.
The lack of a genuine goalscorer is perhaps the most pressing issue at the United on the back of a disappointing season for both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who managed just seven league goals between them last term.
A host of big-name centre-forwards have been linked with moves to the Theatre of Dreams since the transfer window opened, from RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko to Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres.
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But United are understood to have some reservations about Sesko’s eye-watering €70-80m (£61-70m) price tag, while Gyokeres appears set for a switch to Arsenal after several months of incessant speculation.
The latest reports suggest Ollie Watkins has come to the fore as a potential option, with talks underway to gauge whether a deal might be possible for the Aston Villa and England man.
According to Ferdinand, Watkins would represent a ‘very good addition’ to Amorim’s attacking ranks, despite some concerns over the player’s age.
‘I think he would be a very, very good addition to the Manchester United squad. He scored 17 goals last season, 14 assists in 54 appearances,’ the ex-United defender said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.
‘He’s 29, that’s the only drawback for Manchester United, there’s not going to be any sell-on value which I understand is an issue, but you’ve got to look at the here and now with Manchester United.’
Ferdinand believes a player of Watkins’ experience could be key, with the forward able to set the ‘benchmark’ for youngsters still making their way in the game like Hojlund, Zirkzee and Chido Obi.
He added: ‘Manchester United need experience at the top of the pitch. They’ve got Hojlund, Zirkzee and Chido… young, inexperienced players.
‘They need someone to look at and go, “That’s how you play as a number nine, that’s how you do it!”, and when you buy someone who hasn’t got as much experience as I’d like, I think that’s another risk.
‘I think Watkins would be a very good addition for the younger ones to look at and go, “Yeah, that’s the benchmark of someone who knows how the play the role”.
‘He’s done it consistently at the top level for the last few years, he’s scored goals, Champions League football as well.’
If United are not 100 per cent sold on any of their attacking targets, though, Ferdinand feels his former club should go all out for ‘Amorim-type player’ Baleba.
‘Would I be happy with Manchester United going into the season as we are now? No. I want one more, I’m being greedy. I want a striker and if I don’t get a striker, I’d go midfield,’ the six-time Premier League winner continued.
‘You’re probably thinking, “Who would you go and get?”, and there’s only one name I’m thinking about, I’m going to be honest, guys, who I think fits the bill for what we need.
‘He’s an Amorim-type player as well. Physically, he’s great. He can drive with the ball, he can take it in all areas, very good tactically, great energy, great legs, Premier League experience, central midfield… Baleba.
‘That’s who I would go and get, that’s the one I would go and get. I’d go and break the bank.’
He went on: ‘If I got the money for the four players [Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, Antony and Jadon Sancho] that are surplus to requirements now, would I go and get a number nine or would I go and get Baleba?
Would I get a number nine I’m not sure about, who is a bit young, inexperienced, or would I get Baleba who has Premier League experience? I’m going Baleba.
‘That’s who I’d get, I think he would have a huge impact on this squad and on this team.
‘It would ease up a few people in that midfield as well because they would have a little less responsibility defensively because he’s all-action, he can do it all.’
Baleba enjoyed an excellent season at the heart of Fabian Hurzeler’s engine room last term, making 40 appearances in all competitions and chipping in with four goals.
Having signed Baleba for a fee of just £23.5m from Lille in 2023, the Seagulls stand to make a tidy profit on the Cameroon international should they decide to sell.
The 21-year-old’s current contract at the Amex Stadium runs through to June 2028.
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