Man Utd to secure a premier midfield choice at a bargain price as January conclusion is made.

Manchester United are not expected to land star Premier League midfielder Joao Gomes in January, while one of their favorite options, Carlos Baleba, could come cheaper than anticipated.

United’s desire to secure a top midfielder has been clear for several months.

Current starter Casemiro is set to be out of contract at the end of the season. Although there's an option for an additional year, he has struggled with consistency lately. Backups Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte have not gained favor with boss Ruben Amorim.

Consequently, Man Utd have been linked with several high-profile Premier League midfielders to potentially strengthen their midfield.

Carlos Baleba price slashed

Brighton midfielder Baleba is heavily linked with United as they search for midfield reinforcements.

It has often been speculated that the Cameroonian would demand a fee exceeding £100 million.

However, a new report indicates that United might be able to acquire him for a significantly lower fee.

Reportedly, Brighton may be open to starting offers at €85 million in 2026, roughly equivalent to £75 million, which could provide the Red Devils with a substantial discount on a player they are eager to sign.

Moreover, The Telegraph states that Brighton has identified Aston Villa’s Lamare Bogarde as a potential successor to Baleba, indicating they are preparing for his sale.

Joao Gomes deal not expected

Fabrizio Romano has recently mentioned that Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes is “under consideration” at Old Trafford.

However, discussions regarding a transfer this January have been downplayed by fellow reporter Laurie Whitwell.

He stated: “My understanding was that I wouldn’t expect [Man Utd] to go for talks in January with him, meaningfully.

“To my mind their focus is on those players that we’ve discussed – Elliot Anderson…”

The Nottingham Forest player has been frequently mentioned as a midfield option in recent media but Whitwell's comments were interrupted before he could provide more names.

Mainoo future up in the air

Current United midfielder Mainoo has seen minimal playing time this season, and Amorim has acknowledged his frustration but feels he cannot field him.

He stated: “I see, I see it and I just want to win. I try to put the players. I don’t look at who it is. I don’t care about that. I’m just trying to put the best players on the pitch. You have Ugarte who played two games. One of them, Casa, was out. Bruno is always fit. He’s the guy that is doing his position, so maybe it has to do with that.”

Reports from The Athletic reveal that Mainoo is seeking to leave in January to secure more opportunities.

Frustration is growing for Mainoo, who aims to enhance his chances of being selected for England’s World Cup squad, making this a critical moment for him.

Amorim is safe

United manager Amorim often finds himself at the center of criticism from supporters and pundits alike, as he navigates his team through ups and downs in performance.

However, the likelihood of his dismissal is not a concern for the Portuguese manager.