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Man Utd transfers news: Carlos Baleba deal off as door opens for two new signings

Manchester United's deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is off after the Red Devils were unwilling to match his transfer fee, but the situation has opened the door to two potential arrivals

[Carlos Baleba]

Manchester United's move for Carlos Baleba is off

The new season kicks off for Manchester United on Sunday as they welcome rivals Arsenal to Old Trafford. The Red Devils are eager to start with a win as they aim to recover from their worst-ever Premier League finish last term.

United ended up 15th in the league and missed out on Champions League qualification after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham. Manager Ruben Amorim has bolstered his squad this summer, signing Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon.

Marcus Rashford has departed the club, moving to Barcelona on loan with an option to buy, while Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof have been let go and veteran defender Jonny Evans has hung up his boots.

Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at the latest Manchester United transfer news.

Baleba deal off

[Carlos Baleba playing for Brighton]

The midfielder emerged as a United target this month(Image: Getty)

Manchester United's move for Carlos Baleba is off after club-to-club talks.

The Red Devils have been pursuing a move for the Brighton midfielder for the past couple of weeks, with the 21-year-old becoming their priority target to sign in midfield.

Talks started with Brighton through intermediaries on behalf of United before direct conversations took place between the clubs. Brighton made it clear they do not intend to sell Baleba, and slapped a price tag in the region of 100million on the midfielder, a figure beyond what United are willing to pay this summer.

Ultimately meaning, according to The Athletic, a deal for Baleba will not materialise.

Two new signings eyed

[RIO MAIOR, PORTUGAL - AUGUST 8: Morten Hjulmand of Sporting CP during the Liga Portugal Betclic match between Casa Pia AC and Sporting CP at Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior on August 8, 2025 in Rio Maior, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)]

Morten Hjulmand could reunite with Ruben Amorim(Image: Gualter Fatia, Getty Images)

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According to a report from the Sun, United are eyeing a move for Morten Hjulmand as a potential alternative to Carlos Baleba. The report claims that the Sporting captain would 'cost less than half' what it would take to secure Baleba, with Hjulmand valued at around 50m.

Consequently, it is suggested that United could use the funds saved by signing Hjulmand to finance a move for Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Paris Saint-Germain star is set to depart this summer after they brought in a new goalkeeper in Lucas Chevalier.

Rashford warning

[BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 10: (L-R) Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona , Marc Oliver Kempf of Como 1907 during the match between FC Barcelona v Como at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on August 10, 2025 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David Ramirez/Soccrates/Getty Images)]

Rashford is now looking for a fresh start in Barcelona(Image: 2024 Soccrates Images B.V.)

Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on loan with an option to buy, having been sidelined at Old Trafford by Ruben Amorim. However, Steve McManaman believes the forward has no place at Barcelona.

"It's certainly important that he hits the ground running," he said at an event with ESPN. "I thought it was an incredible move for him, to be very honest. The last couple of seasons at Manchester United, the way Manchester United performed - for him to leave and go to arguably one of the most exciting teams in Europe, I thought: 'He's got an amazing agent.'

"Where's he going to fit in? The answer is, I don't know. Because Raphinha, Robert [Lewandowski] and Lamine [Yamal], they had the most incredible season. So you think that is set in stone. You've got Ferran [Torres] behind them. They've moved a couple of players out - if anything, when you look at Barcelona's team, they need a couple of more defenders... but they go and bring in yet another forward. So we'll wait and see."

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