Forget Baleba, United should do everything to sign this Brighton star to help their £74m talent – opinion

Manchester United recently touched base with Brighton & Hove Albion to explore the possibility of signing Carlos Baleba.

It has been widely reported that United view Baleba as their dream midfield target. At the same time, there is an acceptance that the Red Devils’ pursuit would be very complicated, as the Seagulls have no desire to part ways with their midfield gem this summer.

United may have to fork out a British record fee to test the resolve of Brighton, who sold Moises Caicedo to Chelsea in a deal worth £115 million.

While Baleba possesses immense potential, such a figure would be better off spent elsewhere — unless Ineos, akin to BlueCo, have a master plan to sell their women’s team to themselves in order to balance the club’s financial books.

The Mancunians should consider cheaper alternatives to strengthen their midfield, and use the remaining budget to further bolster their defence and attack. Interestingly, Brighton may have the answer to the latter concern.

Manchester United must support Benjamin Sesko

United have already spent north of £200m on transforming their forward line. £74m talent Benjamin Sesko, 22, joins Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo through the Old Trafford doors ahead of the new season.

It is well known that Premier League experience was a factor in United’s moves for Cunha and Mbeumo. The club also considered signing Aston Villa talisman Ollie Watkins before making relatively inexperienced Sesko their priority target due to his higher ceiling as a modern number nine.

The club’s recruitment strategy is interesting, to say the least, but they must avoid making the mistake they made with Rasmus Hojlund.

Former boss Erik ten Hag wanted both Harry Kane and Hojlund as his strikers. Still, the hierarchy let the 20-year-old Hojlund carry the burden of leading the club’s frontline. Two years on, the youngster has lost his confidence, and with it, his goalscoring boots.

As per reports, Hojlund has reluctantly accepted he needs to leave United to continue his development amid interest from AC Milan.

Brighton star could help Benjamin Sesko at Man United

The purported transfer should open a vacant space for another striker, and the 20-time Champions should look no further than one of their academy products, who has re-established his career on the South Coast of England.

Danny Welbeck left United in 2014. After underwhelming spells at Arsenal and Watford, the Englishman joined Brighton in 2020.

Now 34, Welbeck is more prolific and well-rounded than he has ever been, living up to the promise he showed in Manchester under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Last season, Welbeck bagged 10 Premier League goals under Fabian Hürzeler, his best ever tally, impressing with his ability to finish with both feet and strength in the air. Chelsea’s £60m recruit João Pedro scored the same amount of league goals for Brighton.

Apart from his temperament in front of the net, Welbeck also earned plaudits for his hold-up play and tendency to effectively link-up with his teammates. He registered four assists in England’s top flight last term, just two fewer than Pedro.

Further, the ex-United striker has quickly established himself as one of the most prominent figures in Brighton’s dressing room. In March, Jan Paul van Hecke, the club’s Player of the Season, labelled him as “a real leader” and “example” for his teammates.

Ruben Amorim has seemingly made it his mission to change the culture at Carrington. The addition of a figure like Welbeck, who is “a Manchester boy”, will validate the new direction of the club.

Welbeck has less than 12 months left on his contract at the Amex. While Brighton have an option to extend the deal for a further year, it is not far-fetched to assume the veteran could be tempted to the Theatre of Dreams for a low fee.

Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images

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