Manchester United in advanced talks for Brighton’s Baleba: compromise expected after £60m bid | OneFootball

An agreement is edging closer between the clubs that will see Baleba move to Old Trafford, following long-term interest from Manchester United.

The Athletic are reporting that Manchester United have submitted an opening offer of £60m, with a further £5m dependent in add-ons. That proposal is less than Brighton's valuation, but there is an expectation that a compromise will be found.

Negotiations are ongoing for the 22-year-old, who is keen on the transfer. United have made their move for Baleba as Michael Carrick looks to complete his midfield rebuild, following the arrivals of Andrey Santos andYouri Tielemans this summer.

Manchester United's focus on midfielders comes amid Casemiro's exit and Manuel Ugartes' long-term injury. The trio of new signings would compete with Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes for a place in the side next season.

Brighton had demanded around £100m for Baleba during last summer's window, though the Cameroon international's inconsistent campaign has lowered that asking price.

In December, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler suggested the transfer noise had affected the midfielder.

"For sure, when a young boy reads there is interest from Manchester United with a big, big offer, it might affect him deep, deep (down),"he said.

"That’s also part of the development to understand that when you play well, there comes a big offer, there comes a big club who wants to have him. But then to keep pushing, to be humble, stay here in Brighton, and try to make the next step with the team, and that’s something we have to keep on working with him and therefore I can’t give you a clear answer if it’s really affected him or not.

"But for sure, he’s a young boy, and we need to understand he’s not a machine that if you click on then he always runs and off then he stops. We need to understand his feelings, his emotions, where he comes from, and that’s our responsibility."

Despite a mixed campaign at the Amex Stadium, Baleba ranked among the top 10 midfielders in thePremier League for interceptions per opposition possession, duels won, and defensive duels won. He also sat in the top 15% of midfielders across Europe's top-five leagues for percentage of duels won and possession won per 90 minutes.