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The Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Sun
Man Utd fans vow to ‘call first born child INEOS' if Ruben Amorim completes incredible transfer for Brighton star
MANCHESTER UNITED fans have vowed to make some madcap life decisions if the club complete a stunning deal to sign Carlos Baleba. Reports suggest Red Devils transfer chiefs have made contact with Brighton over the possibility of signing the 21-year-old. 5 5 5 5 Baleba is seen as one of the brightest talents of his age group, and as reported by L'Equipe in France, United are currently in pole position to sign the midfielder amid a host of interested parties. In the CIES football observatory, Baleba is valued at up to £76million, though it is understood Brighton have no intention to sanction a sale for the rising star this summer, with Seagulls chief Paul Barber denying that an approach had been made at all. Barber said: "There is always going to be interest in our players. Manchester United have not been in touch with me, speculation is speculation. "Carlos is a fantastic talent and we hope he will be here for years to come. But it's subject to the dynamics of the football world, which is not always predictable." Baleba's contract at the Amex Stadium runs until 2028 - while there is also an option to extend for a further year. United are on the hunt for a dynamic midfielder to go in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 pivot after unconvincing displays by Manuel Ugarte in pre-season, with his display against Everton coming in fro particular scrutiny. Baleba was one of the Premier League's top ranked midfielders last season for tackles, blocks, interceptions and recoveries, while his progressive carries and forward passing numbers were also impressive. And such is the fervour for United to sign Baleba - who exclusively told SunSport about his ambition to win the Ballon d'Or - that the thought of getting the deal over the line has seen some of the Red Devils faithful make some stunning promises. One excited fan declared: "If we sign Baleba then I'm calling my first born child INEOS." A second said: "Throw the f***ing bank at him. Incur a lifetime transfer ban. Pull every credit facility necessary. "Include the new stadium naming rights in the deal. Do anything and everything in your power to sign Carlos Baleba." A third said: "I swear, if we sign Baleba after signing Sesko, Mbeumo, and Cunha, then I'm driving down to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's house and kissing his feet while apologising for all the bad things I've said about INEOS." Another said: "Get Baleba and it's the best window since 2007." A fifth said: "Bro what the f*** were we gonna do if we got UCL???????" A sixth said: "Nah the way United fans manifested this Baleba [move] through pure faith and blind optimism We are massive man." A seventh speculated: "[Kobbie] Mainoo-Baleba for the next decade genuinely sorts out the base of the team in every single facet in every single system/shape." These opinions come before a fan protest against Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe, organised by The 1958, ahead of United's opening Premier League game against Arsenal on August 17. Baleba made his international debut for Cameroon last year and has played in seven games for the Indomitable Lions so far. And his high ambitions of winning football's ultimate individual prize is sure to go down well with Man Utd fans and transfer chiefs as they look to bring the club back to its former glory. He told SunSport in an exclusive interview: "Declan Rice, Matheus Cunha, Joelinton, they've all told me I've got it in me. I want to win the Ballon d'Or like Rodri. "I watched him during the Euros and before his injury I played against him and time I got the ball, he was right in front of me. 'It was my first game against Manchester City, and it was very difficult. He made it so hard to dribble or pass. That showed his class. 'His success has opened the door for midfielders like us to believe we can win the Ballon d'Or someday... I can get to the very top of world football. 'But I need to stay focused, stay calm, not rush, and not let what people write get in my head. If I keep working hard, I can be like Luka Modric or Toni Kroos, I just need to stay grounded." Baleba's journey to football stardom is nothing short of remarkable. He tragically lost his mother three years ago just as he got his breakthrough European move to French side Lille. But he explained the pain of his loss drives him forwards to be the best version of himself. Baleba continued: "It was very difficult for me because I didn't see my mum. I wanted her next to me, but when I signed for Brighton, she wasn't here. 'That's why the first season was really hard. I thought about her a lot. But I vowed that I would be the best version of myself and go as far as I can in my career." His English is still a work in progress, but he's proud of the steps he has taken to settle in, even if the British weather isn't always his cup of tea. He added: "I love it here, to be honest. My favourite English food is the English breakfast, if I'm allowed to say that! But the weather is the only issue, it changes all the time." 5
BBC News
30 minutes ago
- BBC News
New Oxford United stadium recommended for council approval
Oxford United's proposed new stadium has been recommended for approval by council District Council's planning report said there were "very special circumstances" to justify building a new purpose-built 16,000-seater ground on land known as the Triangle, near KidlingtonJonathon Clarke, the Championship club's development director, said it was a "significant and positive step".The report will be discussed by the council's planning committee on 14 August. The five-hectare (12-acre) site is located south of Kidlington roundabout, west of Banbury Road, east of Frieze Way and near Oxford Parkway proposed complex could include a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference centre and community U's have repeatedly warned that if the Triangle site was not approved by Cherwell District Council then it would have no home stadium by June had previously agreed with the Kassam Stadium's owner that it could play there until June 2026, but the extra year is conditional on it getting planning permission for the new ground. The council planning report said the development would "cause significant landscape and visual harm", but said there were "very special circumstances" to justify the development on green belt contained details of objections from local campaigners who claimed the stadium would cause "irreversible damage to a site which has high local ecological significance and value".However planners agreed with the club that it was the only available, appropriate site either in Oxford or council received about 4,900 responses from the public about the application.A decision over the proposed stadium was delayed from 31 July when nearby woodland was designated as Natural England concluded the woodland at Stratfield Brake was not ancient as it was not found on Oxfordshire maps it had studied from the 18th and 19th the planning committee agrees with the recommendations of the report, the application will then to be referred to the Secretary of State – a standard procedure for such large-scale Clarke said: "This is a significant and positive step towards our goal of building a world-class venue that safeguards the club's future."We now have confirmation of when the planning committee will meet and look forward to them hopefully endorsing the positive recommendation made by their professional officers." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
30 minutes ago
- BBC News
Man Utd explore Baleba deal - Thursday's gossip
Manchester United make contact with Brighton over Carlos Baleba, Everton open talks with Manchester City for Jack Grealish, and Alexander Isak trains alone amid Liverpool United have contacted Brighton through intermediaries to explore a potential move for Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba, 21. (The Athletic - subscription required), externalEverton have opened talks over a deal to bring in England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish, 29, from Manchester City. (Sky Sports), externalSweden striker Alexander Isak has been told to train alone at Newcastle United amid interest in him from Liverpool, while the 25-year-old also missed a family day for the players which was put on by the club. (Mirror), externalNewcastle have bid about €30m (£26.2m) for Germany defender Malick Thiaw but AC Milan have not accepted the offer as they want to keep the 23-year-old. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), externalNottingham Forest are closing in on a deal to sign 27-year-old Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz from Juventus, who could make a move for Forest and Ivory Coast midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, 27. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external Everton are also interested in Douglas Luiz and, like Forest, could look at a loan with an option or obligation to buy. (Mail), externalRB Leipzig are discussing contract terms with Liverpool and England Under-21 midfielder Harvey Elliott, 22, before they make a formal transfer offer. (Fabrizio Romano), externalInter Milan could consider a move for Manchester United and England winger Jadon Sancho, 25, if they fail to sign Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman, 27, from Atalanta. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), externalManchester City's Mateo Kovacic, 31, has been approached by Saudi Pro League clubs this summer, but the Croatia midfielder wants to stay at City. (Fabrizio Romano), external
