'We have to move on from cup exit'
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Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Man United 'plot £50m swoop for Carlos Baleba alternative' - despite Brighton midfielder 'showing interest' in Old Trafford move
Manchester United have reportedly identified a cheaper alternative to Carlos Baleba should they miss out of their priority target before the close of the summer transfer window. The Red Devils have significantly bolstered Ruben Amorim 's attack this summer with the additions of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko for fees of £62.5million, £71m and £74m respectively. United have now turned their attention to the middle of park, with Brighton 's star midfielder Baleba, 21, understood to be the primary target. Baleba, who has spent two seasons as a regular starter for the Seagulls after arriving from Lille in 2023, is expected to demand a hefty transfer fee worth between £100m and £120m this summer, given he still has a minimum of three years left on his Brighton deal. According to The Sun, Manchester United are now considering a £50m move for Sporting Lisbon captain Morten Hjulmand, who was once a favourite of Amorim's during his time in the Portuguese capital. The newspaper claims that Hjulmand, who is expected to cost half the fee Baleba would demand, would only be pursued if United miss out on the Cameroonian altogether. Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed on Wednesday that United are ready to step up their pursuit of Baleba after hearing the player is keen to make the switch. But Amorim is also a strong admirer of the Danish midfielder and has previously lauded his 'monster mentality' and leadership qualities, having appointed him captain. Baleba helped Brighton finish eighth in the Premier League last season, just five points off fifth-placed Newcastle, who secured Champions League football. The Seagulls, who have made a habit of selling the likes of Joao Pedro, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo to Chelsea for huge profits, are less keen to sell Baleba this summer given he had an impressive season. According to The Athletic, a move for the youngster is 'improbable' unless United are able to secure a series of lucrative sales before the window closes at the start of next month. Only Liverpool and Chelsea can boast a higher spend among the Premier League's money-spinning corridors this summer. One Manchester United fan has set up a GoFundMe page to try and raise funds for a Baleba bid, though in four days it had only raised £501 of its £120m target. In defensive midfield, United currently have Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, and Toby Collyer as options, while Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo can also be deployed in the centre of the park in their 3-4-3 formation. One Manchester United fan set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Baleba's transfer fee The Brighton star revealed in a previous interview that reigning Ballon d'Or holder Rodri is an inspiration of his as he continues to make strides in his budding career. 'I want to win the Ballon D'or like Rodri,' Baleba said. 'His success has opened the door for midfielders like us to believe we can win the Ballon d'Or one day.' The youngster was born and raised in Douala - also the birthplace of four-time African Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o.
Belfast Telegraph
25 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
The Northern Ireland stars bidding to step into the spotlight in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign
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Daily Record
26 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Alexander Jensen targets instant Aberdeen Hampden return as dream Euro run also in his cross hairs
The defender is desperate for a quickfire return to the national stadium this year Alexander Jensen has admitted Scottish Cup winners Aberdeen are aiming for an immediate Hampden return. The Dons kick-off their Premier Sports Cup campaign away to Morton. Aberdeen lifted the Scottish Cup, beating Celtic on penalties back in May. Jensen stated that has given them a hunger to go on another run and to get back to the national stadium. He is well aware that to do that they need to be professional and do things right to get past a potential banana skin at Cappielow to Dougie Imrie's Championship side on Saturday. The full-back stated: 'Yes, that could be good. Of course we are aiming for that and we will try to do our best in that competition as well. 'It's going to be difficult away from home. I don't know so much about Morton, although I know they're playing the Championship and they will be a tough team to face. 'So we just have to be at our best, as we have to be every weekend.' The Dons will have plenty of cup competition this season. They face Morton in the cup and then turn their attention to their Europa League play-off first-leg on Thursday. Jensen admitted it was a big factor in him making the move to Pittodrie in January. He had never played in Europe before and the nearest he had come was being a ball boy when he was in the youth ranks at Midtjylland. 'It's exciting,' the Dane stated. 'It's kind of what I expected when I signed here. 'All the boys wanted it and that is what the club was aiming for, so it's going to be good to play those games and it's going to be interesting to face teams from all over Europe. I look forward to it.' Jensen has already been doing his homework and took in the FCSB and Drita games to see who the Dons would be playing. Regardless of what happens, Aberdeen are guaranteed European group stage football, either in the Europa League or dropping down to the Conference League. Jensen is hoping it will be in the Europa League and would love a return to Denmark in the group stage. He said: 'That could be fun, that would be fun. If we do that and we can face a Danish opponent it will of course be funny for me.' Jimmy Thelin signed the 23-year-old from Brommapojkarna back in January. He has proved a big success and has established himself as one of Aberdeen's top performers. Jensen enjoyed his first season in Scotland, especially as it ended with the Scottish Cup. He is looking to kick on and to get even better both personally and in helping Aberdeen kick-on to the next level. He stated: 'I think it's just to be better every day and to try to be more consistent than we were last season. So just trying to be better every day and grow. 'Everyone has to grow as an individual and as a team and if we kind of have that mentality inside our team. I think we're going to be more consistent and it's going to get better day by day. 'Instead of being very good in the start of the season we maybe can be better and better throughout the season. So that's maybe the goal to be more consistent and get better and better.' Meanwhile Thelin is trying to add to his Aberdeen squad before the play-off game. Aberdeen have agreed a deal with AC Milan for striker Marko Lazetic while Varnamo winger Kenan Bilalovic has arrived this evening. A deal for Lazetic is a given ahead of Thursday and it's now down to visas and red tape whether they can feature in their Euro opener next week. It is down to the authorities and that can take days or weeks.
