MANCHESTER UNITED ARE progressing in talks with Brighton over a deal to sign long-standing midfield target Carlos Baleba.
The Red Devils have been slow to shape Michael Carrick’s squad this summer, with no first-team signings made since the mid-July acquisitions of Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow.
Santos and Tielemans helped bolster a midfield that still looks light given Casemiro’s exit and a serious knee injury sustained by Manuel Ugarte, with work now under way to bring in Baleba, the Press Association understands.
United spoke to Brighton about a potential move for the Cameroon international last summer, only to cool their interest due to Albion’s determination to keep him.
The 22-year-old had a topsy-turvy 2025/26 campaign, but the Red Devils are understood to have made a renewed push to sign the midfielder, who is currently dealing with an ankle issue.
Talks are under way between the clubs, with United reported to have offered in the region of £60 million (€70 million) plus £5m (€5.84 million) in add-ons.
Baleba faced United last season having seen hopes of joining them dashed (Martin Rickett/PA). PA
PA
Baleba moved to the Amex from Lille in 2023 for €27 million and signed a contract until 2028 following Moises Caicedo’s big-money move to Chelsea.
Earlier this summer, United had agreed with Atalanta to sign Ederson, but backed out of the deal. The Brazil international subsequently signed fresh terms with the Serie A side.
Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid and Elliot Anderson, who last month joined Manchester City from Nottingham Forest for £116m (€135.54 million), were also of interest.
United open their Premier League campaign at promoted Hull on Saturday lunchtime, with Brighton hosting Aston Villa the following day.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side take on Tromso in the first leg of the Conference League play-offs in Norway on Thursday.
Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Elsewhere, Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has arrived in Saudi Arabia after completing a move from Manchester City to Al Qadsiah on a contract running until 2031, a club official told AFP on Wednesday.
An AFP correspondent saw the Netherlands international enter the club’s headquarters in the eastern city of Al Khobar on Tuesday.
Reports said Al Qadsiah paid around €61 million for the 28-year-old, who represented the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
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Reijnders had been under contract with City until June 2030 after joining the Premier League club from AC Milan last year. He trained separately from the first-team squad last week before missing City’s 3-0 defeat by Arsenal in the FA Community Shield.
His departure is the latest change in a significant midfield reshuffle at City following Rodri’s move to Barcelona. The English club have also been linked with Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández.
Reijnders made 47 appearances in all competitions under former City manager Pep Guardiola last season, scoring seven goals.
Al Qadsiah are backed by Saudi state-owned oil company Aramco and coached by former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.
Meanwhile, Leeds signed Switzerland defender Nico Elvedi from Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday in a deal worth a reported £8.5 million (€9.93 million).
Elvedi agreed a three-year contract with the Premier League and will again link up with Leeds manager Daniel Farke.
The 29-year-old, who previously played for Farke at Mönchengladbach, said: “He is a big point for this change.
“It was just one year, but I loved to have him as a manager. I learnt a lot from him, and I will learn a lot now.”
Elvedi is Leeds’ fourth close-season signing following the arrivals of James Trafford, Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemovic.
He played every game of Switzerland’s run to the quarter-finals of the recent World Cup.
Elvedi’s arrival follows the earlier exit of defender Sebastiaan Bornauw, who has signed for Hamburg on a season-long loan deal.
Elvedi could make his debut for Leeds in their Premier League opener at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Matteo Ruggeri of Atletico de Madrid. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
In addition, Aston Villa announced on Wednesday they have signed Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and Italian defender Matteo Ruggeri as they strengthen their defensive options ahead of the Champions League.
The arrival of 23-year-old Suzuki, following a stellar showing at the World Cup, could hasten the departure of Argentina ‘keeper Emiliano Martinez from the Premier League club.
Martinez, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022 and played in this year’s final, has been a target for Italian clubs.
Suzuki joins the reigning Europa League champions on a permanent transfer for a reported fee of around €35 million from Serie A outfit Parma.
Born in the United States, Suzuki made his debut for Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds aged 18.
Following a short stint in Belgium with Sint-Truiden, he spent the past two seasons with Italian side Parma.
Suzuki will be the first Japanese goalkeeper to play in the Premier League.
Manager Unai Emery further bolstered his side’s defensive options by securing the services of left-back Ruggeri from La Liga’s Atlético Madrid.
The 24-year-old came through the youth system at Italian club Atalanta, where he was part of the squad that won the club’s first piece of European silverware in the 2024 Europa League.
He joined Atlético last season and made 47 appearances in all competitions for Diego Simeone’s side.
Ruggeri has been capped by Italy up to under-21 level but, despite having been called up to the senior squad, is yet to make his full international debut.
After finishing fourth in the Premier League last season, Villa will compete in the Champions League this season.
They have had to contend with the loss this summer of England international midfielder Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea in a £117 million (€136.71 million) deal, while Belgium international Youri Tielemans moved to Manchester United.
Villa responded by recruiting 20-year-old forward Johan Manzambi, who impressed for Switzerland at the World Cup, and have taken Alejandro Garnacho on loan from Chelsea.
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Finally, boyhood Liverpool fan Curtis Jones is nearing a move to Inter Milan, the Press Association understands.
Having joined the academy at U9 level, the midfielder progressed through the ranks and won six trophies across 228 appearances for his hometown club.
Jones is now preparing for pastures new as a transfer from Liverpool to reigning Serie A champions Inter edges closer.
An agreement is close for a deal reported to be in the region of £30 million (€35.05 million), with the 25-year-old hoping the switch brings the chance for more game time.
Inter had attempted to strike a deal during the January transfer window for Jones, who only made 28 starts in 49 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions last term.
The midfielder would become the third England international to join Inter this summer after John Stones and Djed Spence headed to San Siro fresh from their World Cup exploits.
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Man United step up pursuit of Baleba, Reijnders leaves Man City for €61 million
Updated at 15.37
MANCHESTER UNITED ARE progressing in talks with Brighton over a deal to sign long-standing midfield target Carlos Baleba.
The Red Devils have been slow to shape Michael Carrick’s squad this summer, with no first-team signings made since the mid-July acquisitions of Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow.
Santos and Tielemans helped bolster a midfield that still looks light given Casemiro’s exit and a serious knee injury sustained by Manuel Ugarte, with work now under way to bring in Baleba, the Press Association understands.
United spoke to Brighton about a potential move for the Cameroon international last summer, only to cool their interest due to Albion’s determination to keep him.
The 22-year-old had a topsy-turvy 2025/26 campaign, but the Red Devils are understood to have made a renewed push to sign the midfielder, who is currently dealing with an ankle issue.
Talks are under way between the clubs, with United reported to have offered in the region of £60 million (€70 million) plus £5m (€5.84 million) in add-ons.
Baleba moved to the Amex from Lille in 2023 for €27 million and signed a contract until 2028 following Moises Caicedo’s big-money move to Chelsea.
Earlier this summer, United had agreed with Atalanta to sign Ederson, but backed out of the deal. The Brazil international subsequently signed fresh terms with the Serie A side.
Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid and Elliot Anderson, who last month joined Manchester City from Nottingham Forest for £116m (€135.54 million), were also of interest.
United open their Premier League campaign at promoted Hull on Saturday lunchtime, with Brighton hosting Aston Villa the following day.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side take on Tromso in the first leg of the Conference League play-offs in Norway on Thursday.
Elsewhere, Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has arrived in Saudi Arabia after completing a move from Manchester City to Al Qadsiah on a contract running until 2031, a club official told AFP on Wednesday.
An AFP correspondent saw the Netherlands international enter the club’s headquarters in the eastern city of Al Khobar on Tuesday.
Reports said Al Qadsiah paid around €61 million for the 28-year-old, who represented the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Reijnders had been under contract with City until June 2030 after joining the Premier League club from AC Milan last year. He trained separately from the first-team squad last week before missing City’s 3-0 defeat by Arsenal in the FA Community Shield.
His departure is the latest change in a significant midfield reshuffle at City following Rodri’s move to Barcelona. The English club have also been linked with Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández.
Reijnders made 47 appearances in all competitions under former City manager Pep Guardiola last season, scoring seven goals.
Al Qadsiah are backed by Saudi state-owned oil company Aramco and coached by former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.
Meanwhile, Leeds signed Switzerland defender Nico Elvedi from Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday in a deal worth a reported £8.5 million (€9.93 million).
Elvedi agreed a three-year contract with the Premier League and will again link up with Leeds manager Daniel Farke.
The 29-year-old, who previously played for Farke at Mönchengladbach, said: “He is a big point for this change.
“It was just one year, but I loved to have him as a manager. I learnt a lot from him, and I will learn a lot now.”
Elvedi is Leeds’ fourth close-season signing following the arrivals of James Trafford, Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemovic.
He played every game of Switzerland’s run to the quarter-finals of the recent World Cup.
Elvedi’s arrival follows the earlier exit of defender Sebastiaan Bornauw, who has signed for Hamburg on a season-long loan deal.
Elvedi could make his debut for Leeds in their Premier League opener at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
In addition, Aston Villa announced on Wednesday they have signed Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and Italian defender Matteo Ruggeri as they strengthen their defensive options ahead of the Champions League.
The arrival of 23-year-old Suzuki, following a stellar showing at the World Cup, could hasten the departure of Argentina ‘keeper Emiliano Martinez from the Premier League club.
Martinez, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022 and played in this year’s final, has been a target for Italian clubs.
Suzuki joins the reigning Europa League champions on a permanent transfer for a reported fee of around €35 million from Serie A outfit Parma.
Born in the United States, Suzuki made his debut for Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds aged 18.
Following a short stint in Belgium with Sint-Truiden, he spent the past two seasons with Italian side Parma.
Suzuki will be the first Japanese goalkeeper to play in the Premier League.
Manager Unai Emery further bolstered his side’s defensive options by securing the services of left-back Ruggeri from La Liga’s Atlético Madrid.
The 24-year-old came through the youth system at Italian club Atalanta, where he was part of the squad that won the club’s first piece of European silverware in the 2024 Europa League.
He joined Atlético last season and made 47 appearances in all competitions for Diego Simeone’s side.
Ruggeri has been capped by Italy up to under-21 level but, despite having been called up to the senior squad, is yet to make his full international debut.
After finishing fourth in the Premier League last season, Villa will compete in the Champions League this season.
They have had to contend with the loss this summer of England international midfielder Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea in a £117 million (€136.71 million) deal, while Belgium international Youri Tielemans moved to Manchester United.
Villa responded by recruiting 20-year-old forward Johan Manzambi, who impressed for Switzerland at the World Cup, and have taken Alejandro Garnacho on loan from Chelsea.
Finally, boyhood Liverpool fan Curtis Jones is nearing a move to Inter Milan, the Press Association understands.
Having joined the academy at U9 level, the midfielder progressed through the ranks and won six trophies across 228 appearances for his hometown club.
Jones is now preparing for pastures new as a transfer from Liverpool to reigning Serie A champions Inter edges closer.
An agreement is close for a deal reported to be in the region of £30 million (€35.05 million), with the 25-year-old hoping the switch brings the chance for more game time.
Inter had attempted to strike a deal during the January transfer window for Jones, who only made 28 starts in 49 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions last term.
The midfielder would become the third England international to join Inter this summer after John Stones and Djed Spence headed to San Siro fresh from their World Cup exploits.
Additional reporting by AFP
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