Man Utd 'lead the way' for signing Ruben Amorim desperately needs

Tom Weber

Updated: 24 Sept 2025 21:20 BST
4 min read

Manchester United will be at the front of the queue for Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton or Elliot Anderson next summer, according to a report.

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The midfield department has given Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim plenty of headaches already in this still-young season. In the summer, Man Utd tried to bring in Baleba, only to be told by Brighton that he was not for sale.

The Red Devils refrained from adding any alternatives, although a move for Conor Gallagher was explored. Some have claimed that signing a midfielder was not a priority at all in the previous window, but the attempt to bring in Baleba evidently tells a different story.

Current ETV

Carlos Baleba

DM, M (C)

Brighton

Carlos Baleba

DM, M (C)

Brighton

ETV Range

€51M - €62.3M

Whatever the case, the situation needs to be rectified, especially with Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo facing uncertain futures. Signing a top player in January will be difficult, though, so unless an unexpected opportunity emerges, Man Utd will have to wait until the summer.

Indeed, according to The Telegraph, Man Utd will be 'leading the way' in a 2026 summer window in which some of the Premier League's most highly-rated midfielders are expected to be on the move.

Wharton or Anderson as Baleba alternative?

The report states that Baleba will be on the agenda again, but whether Man Utd will actually be able to sign him remains to be seen. Personal terms won't be an issue as he was already keen to join this summer, but Brighton will demand north of €100 million for him.

Nottingham Forest and newly-minted England star Elliot Anderson could be a viable alternative, with the 22-year-old increasingly catching the eye of Europe's elite. Compatriot Adam Wharton, who has been starring for Crystal Palace, also has no shortage of admirers.

Man Utd are likely to be at the front of the queue for Anderson or Wharton should they fail to get a reasonable deal for Baleba. However, given their exploits, other top clubs will also be in the mix to sign the pair.

The report posits that Man City could dip into the market for a midfielder to back up Rodri despite adding Nico Gonzalez in January. Real Madrid are also expected to be involved as their appreciation of Wharton is well-documented.

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