Ruben Amorim was desperate to sign a midfielder this summer. But the Manchester United board failed to give the manager what he wanted.
It is not that they didn’t try. Manchester United tried to sign their primary target, Carlos Baleba, from Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Seagulls were asking for a fee of over £100 million for the Cameroonian. United were ready to pay that. However, Brighton shut the door, and the Red Devils are planning to go back next summer.
Baleba’s contract will expire in 2028, and this gives Brighton an upper hand while discussing any potential move for the player.
However, Carlos Baleba is not the only midfielder Manchester United were hoping to sign this summer. They even tried to get a deal over the line for Angelo Stiller from Stuttgart.
But the Red Devils failed once again in that pursuit. They even tried to bring Conor Gallagher in on loan from Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish wanted a permanent sell, which United didn’t oblige. Now, Manchester United are planning for January and next summer.
They could reignite their interest in a midfielder who was their primary target in 2022. Now, the player could be available as a free agent next summer unless he renews his contract.
According to Fichajes, Frenkie de Jong’s future at Barcelona is uncertain. That is why the Dutch international is yet to renew his contract with the Blaugrana.
By January next year, De Jong will have the liberty to talk to any club he wants. And Manchester United could take that opportunity to sign the player they wanted at Old Trafford some years back.
However, it is important to remember that Frenkie de Jon rejected the move to United even after Barcelona agreed on a fee with the English club.
So, convincing De Jong to join Ruben Amorim’s project will be a big challenge for the Red Devils.
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