Gossip: Blues ready to compete for Donnarumma
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Daily Mirror
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Roy Keane's comments say it all as Man Utd target ambitious Carlos Baleba transfer
Manchester United have made contact with Brighton over a potential move for midfielder Carlos Baleba, who also crossed Roy Keane's radar after a standout campaign Roy Keane's glowing assessment of Carlos Baleba might just be vindicated this summer as Manchester United ramp up their interest in the Brighton enforcer. The former Ireland captain was one of many who heaped praise on Baleba last season, and it seems United have sat up and taken note. They've made enquiries to Brighton about the 21-year-old's availability, according to The Athletic. After Moises Caicedo's big-money move to Chelsea in 2023, Baleba filled the void at the Amex and has quietly impressed in the role. Though not often in the spotlight, the Cameroon star has become an essential part of Brighton's engine room. Despite his low profile, Baleba's ability hasn't gone unnoticed - with United legend Keane waxing lyrical about him back in March. The 53-year-old not only commended Baleba's displays but also applauded Brighton's consistently sharp recruitment, with the club seemingly set to reap the rewards of their investment in the midfielder. "It'll be interesting to see what happens this summer," Keane said on ITV following Baleba's standout performance in Brighton's FA Cup victory over Newcastle. "Fantastic. Great example," he added. "The other clubs must be looking at Brighton and thinking, how are they doing it?" Although discussions are underway, United understand that signing Baleba from Brighton will be difficult. He still has three years left on his current contract, and the south coast club have gained a reputation for driving hard bargains - having secured big-money sales for players like Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Joao Pedro and Ben White. To complicate matters further, United are still prioritising a move for Benjamin Sesko - a transfer that could consume much of their remaining budget. With approximately £130million already committed to Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, landing Sesko could take their total spending close to or beyond the £200m mark. With no income yet from player sales and PSR concerns still looming, the Red Devils can ill afford to spend recklessly this summer. That said, signing a defensive midfielder is reportedly high on their agenda, and Baleba is among the leading candidates. Brighton, meanwhile, hold the advantage in negotiations. Not only is Baleba secured on a long-term contract, but the club has already brought in over £100m in sales this summer, cashing in on players like Pedro, Simon Adringa and Pervis Estupinan. Baleba, who has previously attracted attention from Liverpool, has also indicated he's content at Brighton for now. "If they can help me, I'll accept that help to push forward and develop. So, I just work to help my team and for myself, to progress for the future," he said in May. "In return, everyone who helps me wants me to go to the highest level. And if there are big clubs who want me, it's not something that worries me or gets me excited. I just need to work hard and keep a cool head." Having arrived from Lille for a fee of around £24m, Baleba's price tag has reportedly skyrocketed, with suggestions Brighton could demand close to £100m for the promising midfielder. The Seagulls' reputation for uncovering undervalued talent, developing them, and selling at a premium has set a benchmark in football recruitment in recent years. Even as their spending power grows, they continue to generate impressive profits through strategic player sales. This summer may see a showdown between Brighton's calculated transfer planning and United's drive to land elite talent. Whether Keane's prediction proves accurate remains to be seen - but if negotiations advance, this could become one of the window's most compelling transfer sagas.
The Guardian
6 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Will Sesko take Manchester United forward and who will win the Championship?
Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, Acast and Stitcher, and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and email. On the podcast today; are Manchester United about to finally sign the striker that can push them up and beyond 15th in the Premier League? Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo feels like a potent front three, can the fans at Old Trafford dare to dream? Elsewhere, the Championship kicks off on Friday night as newly promoted Birmingham City take on newly relegated Ipswich Town. The panel look at the runners and riders in England's second tier. Plus, a big win for Russell Martin's Rangers, the declining popularity of Barry (the name, not the panelist) and your questions answered. Buy tickets to Football Weekly LIVE in September here. Support the Guardian here. You can also find Football Weekly on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Daily Mail
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
I watch Nicolas Jackson every week - here's why he IS worth Chelsea's £80m price tag, what the 'eye test' misses and what Newcastle would get if they sign him, writes KIERAN GILL
It would be much more fun if Chelsea 's sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart simply had a 'Wheel of Fortune' in their shared office at Cobham that they used to determine how much money it would take to consider selling Nicolas Jackson. Instead, coming up with a valuation involves a variety of factors. How old is he? Jackson just turned 24, so still young and still learning, with room to grow whether that is under Enzo Maresca or .
