Manchester United Ready To Revive Interest In 22-Year-Old Midfielder
July 4, 2026 · Global
Manchester United are trying to rebuild their midfield after failing to land Mateus Fernandes. Carlos Baleba and Alex Scott have emerged as potential targets, but challenges in price negotiations with Brighton and Bournemouth remain.
Manchester United have missed out on the opportunity to sign Mateus Fernandes, and this is hugely important for the club who are talking about overhauling their midfield under coach Michael Carrick. According to a report from Give Me Sport, Fernandes will continue his career in London after agreeing to join Tottenham. This puts United back in a position they have often found themselves in in recent years, namely re-evaluating the old list and questioning the value of existing targets. One name that has emerged is Carlos Baleba. Reports say that “Manchester United have Carlos Baleba on their shortlist for a new midfielder” and this is not a surprise. He has been viewed positively before and is still getting attention. Brighton certainly know how to capitalize on that interest. United "approached the Seagulls for the 22-year-old midfielder last summer, but were deterred by their £100m price tag." This figure perfectly reflects the situation. Brighton sees demand, sees potential, and sets prices according to that demand. This also underlines the problems facing United. If the player is still considered a "Casemiro replacement", then hesitation in negotiations will result in a higher fee. When a club decides that a midfielder can anchor the team for many years, the fee rarely shrinks. There is another important detail in the report, namely that "offers under £70m will not be considered", with the further claim that Baleba "only wants to join United". This is of course useful if true. However, Brighton have no reason to rush and no reason to make a big discount, especially considering Baleba "still featured regularly for Fabio Hurzeler's side last season". If Baleba is considered expensive, Alex Scott is also in the same category. United "will explore the possibility of signing Bournemouth star Alex Scott after seeing Fernandes opt for an £85m move to Tottenham." Once again, the market paints a clear picture. Bournemouth have pegged him at around £80m, and they are not alone in admiring him. This report names Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea as clubs also monitoring this situation. Scott has momentum after an "impressive season" and a maiden England call-up under Thomas Tuchel. It has a different profile to Baleba, more progressive and more flexible, but the problems remain the same. United need quality, depth and reliability if they are serious about competing in the Premier League and Champions League. Ederson is expected to join from Atalanta once his World Cup stint with Brazil is complete, while Aurelien Tchouameni and Sander Berge have also been mentioned. This suggests that United are keeping their options open, which is a smart move, but they also still need clarity on what they want to make of this midfield. Losing Fernandes is not the end of the world. However, losing Fernandes and then overpaying in the midst of panic would be even worse. From a Manchester United fan's perspective, this all feels very familiar. One target goes to another club, then suddenly old names from the short list reappear as if that proves there is a mature plan. That is not true. This proves that the club is still reactive. Baleba is a very good player, but if Brighton want £100m, or even close to that figure, United will have to be very confident. Not just hope, but believe. We've seen too many huge costs associated with players who then come in with impossible expectations. Calling someone a "Casemiro replacement" is a label that creates noise before the ball is kicked. Scott is also talented, but £80m for a still-developing player feels like a premium price driven by hype, age and the inflation of the UK market. If United are to build well under Carrick, recruitment will need to be calmer and smarter than this. Hire the right midfielder, not the flashiest one on social media. Ederson's arrival helps, but one arrival does not improve a midfield that has still lacked certainty in possession, possession and durability throughout the season. Tchouameni sounds ambitious, Berge sounds practical, Baleba sounds interesting, Scott sounds fashionable. Okay. Choose the one that best suits the system and close the deal quickly. Fans are tired of transfer windows that are built on interest with all the players and end up getting whoever is left.