Man Utd cleared to sign Ruben Amorim’s £100m transfer target | Football

Manchester United have been given the green light to sign Ruben Amorim’s £100m transfer target in January.

The Red Devils spent over £200m on new signings last summer, bringing Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha to Old Trafford.

Amorim was keen to welcome a new midfielder to the club after United’s dismal 15th-place finish but had to settle with three attacking signings.

A productive transfer window appears to have reaped rewards, with United enjoying a promising run since the last international break to climb to seventh in the table, one point outside the Champions League places.

Amorim wants the momentum to continue over the winter and into the January transfer window, when he plans to strengthen his midfield.

Manchester United expressed interest in signing Carlos Baleba over the summer and will make a renewed attempt to sign the Brighton star in January.

Brighton spent just £20m on Baleba in 2023 but the 21-year-old is already viewed as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

While United are improving under Amorim, there are still question marks over the team’s midfield, with Casemiro past his best, Kobbie Mainoo frozen out and Manuel Ugarte continuing to underwhelm.

Amorim views Baleba as an ideal target and Brighton are ‘keen’ to strike a deal with the Manchester giants, according to the Daily Mirror.

Baleba has also already indicated his desire to play for the Red Devils, who may have to fork out £100m to sign the Cameroon international.

While Baleba is a key target for Manchester United, they also admire Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson.

Forest know Anderson will move on in the not-so-distant future, with the 23-year-old attracting interest from a number of top clubs.

Anderson was seen as a cheaper alternative to Baleba but reports claim Forest will also demand at least £100m to part ways with the England star.

Another midfielder linked with a move to Old Trafford has been Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, formerly of Chelsea.

Discussing Manchester United’s interest in Baleba last month, Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said: ‘I don’t think it was a transfer saga.

‘There was interest from Manchester United, and we said that he wasn’t available this summer and they went away. So we’ve had many bigger sagas in the past.

‘Carlos’ improvement has been immense. He’s a massively important player to this football club and we’re just delighted that he’s with us for this season.’

Manchester United return to Premier League action next Monday night with a home match against former manager David Moyes’ Everton.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: ‘We’re really sorry’ – Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti gives injury update on Arsenal star Gabriel

MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson hails ‘outstanding’ Manchester United signing in message to Ruben Amorim

MORE: Tottenham handed another injury blow ahead of Arsenal showdown