Man United told to sign £75m Premier League star | OneFootball

Manchester United See Midfield Reset Taking Shape After Casemiro Call

Manchester United’s long, awkward disentanglement from recent mistakes is beginning to feel purposeful rather than painful. As reported by TeamTalk, the club’s plans for a summer midfield rebuild have sharpened with renewed confidence that Carlos Baleba could be prised away from Brighton, potentially for a fee closer to £75m than the previously assumed extremes.

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This comes at a moment when United’s mood has lifted dramatically. After 14 bleak months under Ruben Amorim, successive wins over Manchester City and Arsenal under Carrick have hauled United back into the top four conversation, restoring belief that Champions League football can again become part of the landscape at Old Trafford. It has also reframed how the club views its next steps.

INEOS already feel vindicated by last summer’s heavy outlay on attacking reinforcements. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have justified their combined cost, offering coherence and edge to a forward line that had previously felt scattergun. Attention now turns decisively to midfield.

Casemiro Exit Frees More Than Space

Casemiro’s confirmation that he will leave at the end of his contract has removed a psychological and financial obstacle in one stroke. The Brazilian’s £350,000 a week salary, roughly £18.2m a year, will come off the books, giving United breathing room as well as clarity.

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Replacing him is not about finding a like for like successor. It is about modernising the role entirely. Reports cited by TeamTalk suggest Brighton are now more open to a sale of Baleba, easing previous resistance. United’s recruitment staff remain impressed, having been “wowed” by his performances at AFCON and convinced he fits the physical and technical demands of the Premier League.

Stam Endorses Baleba Profile

The sense that this move makes footballing sense has been reinforced by a familiar voice. Former Treble winner Jaap Stam was unequivocal when asked who should replace Casemiro.

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“I really like Carlos Baleba at Brighton and think he could replace Casemiro at Manchester United,” Stam told TEAMtalk, speaking on behalf of the Covers.com World Cup betting team.

“I like Frenkie de Jong a lot too, but it looks as though he’ll be staying at Barcelona. Manchester United need to be looking for a replacement that has good legs and the engine to run up and down the field. They also need to be very good with the ball too. Baleba can do that.

“Kobbie Mainoo looks to be stepping up his levels and has been performing very well. Alongside him, you need a player who has quality on the ball, who can defend well, and can at times also join in the attack, get into the box and maybe score or create goals for his teammates.”

Summer Direction Becoming Clearer

What matters most here is coherence. United are no longer lurching from problem to problem. They are identifying a role, defining its requirements, and then targeting a player who fits them. Baleba’s athleticism, press resistance and capacity to cover ground align with a Premier League increasingly defined by transition and intensity.

Whether Brighton ultimately agree to a reduced fee remains uncertain. But the shift in tone suggests United see this as achievable rather than aspirational. That, in itself, feels like progress.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Casemiro leaving is overdue, but necessary. Fans have seen how the game has passed him by physically, even if his intelligence remains intact. Replacing him with a younger, mobile midfielder who can actually cover ground feels essential, not optional.

Baleba makes sense in that context. He is not a glamour signing, but supporters are increasingly sceptical of glamour anyway. What United need is energy, control and reliability next to Kobbie Mainoo, not another short term fix.

There is also appreciation for the restraint implied. £75m is still a huge fee, but it feels aligned with market reality rather than desperation. If United can reinvest Casemiro’s wages wisely and secure a player who can anchor midfield for years, most fans would see this as smart business.

Crucially, this also signals trust in a longer plan. United supporters have waited a long time for that.