Manchester United have reportedly made their opening offer for Brighton star Carlos Baleba, including one of their own players in their bid.
Ruben Amorim has primarily focused on improving his attack in his first summer at Old Trafford, splashing around £200million on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
Much more work to the squad is required if United are to challenge for the Premier League title, with the club linked with signing a new goalkeeper in the form of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Recruiting a new central-midfielder would appear to be their next priority, with Amorim admitting in pre-season that his side lack pace in the middle of the park.
To that end, the Red Devils made contact with Brighton last week to enquire over how much it would cost to sign Baleba, one of the most promising young talents in the league.
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The Seagulls have no interest in selling the 21-year-old this summer and in any case would want upwards of £100m, with Manchester City also keen on the player.
But that hasn’t stopped United, who, according to The Standard, have made their first bid for Baleba, offering a transfer fee plus young midfielder Toby Collyer in part-exchange.
That offer has been rejected, with Brighton holding out for a fee akin to the £115m Chelsea paid to sign Moises Caicedo two years ago, but United’s interested has not lessened.
Erik ten Hag handed Collyer his senior debut last season and he has since gone on to make 13 appearances for United.
He has featured several times during United’s pre-season but it is thought he could be loaned out for the upcoming campaign, with Championship side Sheffield Wednesday interested.
Baleba meanwhile has missed Brighton’s last three pre-season friendlies, leading to suggestion that the Cameroon international was being left out amid the transfer speculation.
That is reportedly not the case however and instead he has been ruled out due to a knee injury and was watching on from the sidelines as his side played Wolfsburg behind-closed-doors last weekend.
It remains to be seen whether Baleba will be fit to play in Brighton’s opening game of the season against Fulham on Saturday, while United host Arsenal on Sunday.
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