Man Utd ‘learn’ Carlos Baleba price tag as transfer alternative identified

Man United ‘learn’ Carlos Baleba price tag as Ruben Amorim identifies transfer alternativeManchester United transfer news and opinion including the latest Carlos Baleba and Benjamin SeskoMan United like Carlos Baleba(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Manchester United are set to be one of the busiest Premier League clubs in the final stretch of the summer transfer window after spending £120million on Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.Ruben Amorim is pushing for a new striker and Benjamin Sesko is growing increasingly likely to join the club. The Manchester Evening News understands that United are confident that the striker prefers a move to Old Trafford over Newcastle, who have offered RB Leipzig a better financial package.United have bid €75million (£65.3m) plus €10m (£8.7m) in add-ons, a deal which would see their spending surpass the £185m mark. There has also been recent speculation linking them with Carlos Baleba after his impressive displays at Brighton.Baleba price tagBaleba is the latest talent to develop at Brighton after being snapped up at a low price. Unfortunately for United, the £23.2m they paid Lille for him two years ago is nowhere near the fee they will have to pay.According to TBR Football, there is no release clause in the Cameroonian’s contract and it could cost the Reds over £100m to sign him. The signing of Sesko will take United’s summer spending to more than £185m meaning players have to be sold to raise funds.Baleba is valued at €87m (£75.9m) by CIES Football Observatory.MEN Sport says: “United have to be careful that they don’t overspend here. PSR concerns and no European income means anything close to £100m is highly unlikely. However, with amortisation and the luxury revenue income at Old Trafford, it isn’t impossible.”Amorim and the recruitment team just need to be certain that the Brighton ace will improve their midfield. They have Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro to do a similar role so selling one of them wouldn’t be the worst thing.”Amorim’s expert Sesko alternativeIf United miss out on Sesko like they did Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres, Amorim is reportedly planning to raid Liga Portugal with the signing of Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis, according to The Sun [via Give Me Sport].The Greek international scored 19 league goals last term, helping them finish second and win the Portuguese Super Cup. He only joined Benfica last summer and at 26, could be the perfect striker for United.MEN Sport says: “If United missed out on Sesko, they should go for Ollie Watkins. Moving for Pavlidis wouldn’t make much sense. He scored a decent amount of goals in Portugal but Gyokeres outscored him and there are doubts about whether he can translate that to the Premier League.”Watkins is proven in England. Pavlidis is the sort of profile that needs a season or two with a club like West Ham before a move to Old Trafford.”Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.