No price cuts for top United transfer target, but rivals aren’t deterred – report

Manchester United got back to winning ways against Crystal Palace, showing some steel to come from behind to snatch a 2-1 win. The goals came from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount, but the performance was driven from the midfield by Casemiro. Priority position Nevertheless the Brazilian has had his fair share of underwhelming performances and it is clear the veteran is in the twilight of an illustrious career. Manuel Ugarte was brought in to challenge the 33-year-old and ultimately take over from him, but it hasn’t worked out for the former PSG man. As such, the Red Devils are widely reported to be viewing a new midfielder as a transfer priority, either in January or in the summer. Shortlist assembled United have long been planning for a big signing in that position, to the point that fans have been frustrated not to see movement there sooner. The club were reportedly close to signing Carlos Baleba last summer before being scared off by Brighton and Hove Albion’s nine-digit asking price. Links to the Cameroonian have not gone away despite his poor form this season, and he has been joined on the shortlist by the likes of Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Joao Gomes. Spurs enter the race That downturn in performances has led to speculation the 21-year-old’s price may be reduced ahead of an anticipated transfer, and according to CaughtOffside Tottenham Hotspur have sensed an opportunity to go for him. The outlet claim that Spurs have joined the race, but also that Brighton will stick to their €100m valuation – it is implied that the London club wouldn’t meet this, and United are also likely to struggle. United and Spurs are therefore named as “the main two teams to watch in the race for Baleba”, and CaughtOffside indicate that the youngster’s bad form is viewed in the industry as a blip rather than a permanent black mark. Final thoughts A CaughtOffside source says that the Seagulls “don’t see Baleba’s recent performances as a huge concern” and that “any clubs thinking about a cut-price deal can forget about it”. It makes sense that the clubs involved are looking beyond a dodgy few months in a young player’s career, and it would not be a surprise to see United close an expensive deal for him next year. But equally the Red Devils could turn to an alternative target, meaning there is no reason for Spurs not to stay in touch in this fast-moving situation. Featured image Ryan Pierse via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Joe Ponting Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried. He cut his teeth working in print media for local newspapers and entered football journalism covering the grassroots game for the Non-League Paper. Here he achieved a career high, interviewing United legend Sir Bobby Charlton to get his views on the lower echelons of the football pyramid. To kill time during international breaks Joe writes album reviews and has strong views on post punk for Plus One Magazine.