Man United 'learn' Carlos Baleba price tag as Ruben Amorim identifies transfer alternative

Man United 'learn' Carlos Baleba price tag as Ruben Amorim identifies transfer alternative

Manchester United transfer news and opinion including the latest Carlos Baleba and Benjamin Sesko

Man United like Carlos Baleba (Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Manchester United are set to be one of the busiest Premier League clubs in the final stretch of the summer transfer window after spending £120million on Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

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Ruben Amorim is pushing for a new striker and Benjamin Sesko is growing increasingly likely to join the club. The Manchester Evening News understands that United are confident that the striker prefers a move to Old Trafford over Newcastle, who have offered RB Leipzig a better financial package.

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United have bid €75million (£65.3m) plus €10m (£8.7m) in add-ons, a deal which would see their spending surpass the £185m mark. There has also been recent speculation linking them with Carlos Baleba after his impressive displays at Brighton.

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Baleba price tag

Baleba is the latest talent to develop at Brighton after being snapped up at a low price. Unfortunately for United, the £23.2m they paid Lille for him two years ago is nowhere near the fee they will have to pay.

According to TBR Football, there is no release clause in the Cameroonian's contract and it could cost the Reds over £100m to sign him. The signing of Sesko will take United's summer spending to more than £185m meaning players have to be sold to raise funds.

Baleba is valued at €87m (£75.9m) by CIES Football Observatory.

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MEN Sport says: "United have to be careful that they don't overspend here. PSR concerns and no European income means anything close to £100m is highly unlikely. However, with amortisation and the luxury revenue income at Old Trafford, it isn't impossible.

"Amorim and the recruitment team just need to be certain that the Brighton ace will improve their midfield. They have Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro to do a similar role so selling one of them wouldn't be the worst thing."

Amorim's expert Sesko alternative

If United miss out on Sesko like they did Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres, Amorim is reportedly planning to raid Liga Portugal with the signing of Benfica's Vangelis Pavlidis, according to The Sun [via Give Me Sport].

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The Greek international scored 19 league goals last term, helping them finish second and win the Portuguese Super Cup. He only joined Benfica last summer and at 26, could be the perfect striker for United.

MEN Sport says: "If United missed out on Sesko, they should go for Ollie Watkins. Moving for Pavlidis wouldn't make much sense. He scored a decent amount of goals in Portugal but Gyokeres outscored him and there are doubts about whether he can translate that to the Premier League.

"Watkins is proven in England. Pavlidis is the sort of profile that needs a season or two with a club like West Ham before a move to Old Trafford."

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