Manchester United Bid for Carlos Baleba as Midfield Rebuild Progresses
Manchester United’s midfield overhaul is accelerating. The club have lodged a £60m bid for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and are edging towards a deal that would make him their third central midfield signing of the summer.
United have tracked the Cameroon international for more than a year, identifying him as a long-term target last summer. At that point Brighton slapped a price tag of more than £100m on the 22-year-old, a valuation that effectively shut the door. A difficult season on the south coast has changed the landscape. United sense an opening and are prepared to raise their offer by a further £5m to get it done.
If completed, the move would mark a dramatic shift in Baleba’s market value and underline United’s determination to reshape the spine of their side with younger, more dynamic options. Old Trafford, once a distant prospect for the midfielder, is now within reach.
Liverpool listen on Curtis Jones as Inter push again
Up at Anfield, another homegrown story could be nearing its end. Liverpool are in negotiations with Inter Milan over the sale of Curtis Jones, with talks described as ongoing between the clubs.
Inter have returned to the table after previous attempts to prise the midfielder away, and this time there is a clearer sense of numbers. Liverpool are expected to consider a fee in the region of €35m (£30m) to let the 23-year-old swap Merseyside for San Siro. No agreement is in place yet, but the lines of communication are open and active.
As they weigh up Jones’s future, Liverpool are also working on their own attacking options. The club remain interested in Bradley Barcola, having cooled their pursuit of his PSG team-mate Ibrahim Mbaye. The French forward sits high on their list as they look to refresh the front line without tearing it apart.
Arsenal strike deal for Konsa after Saliba blow
At Arsenal, the response to William Saliba’s serious injury has been swift and decisive. The club have agreed a deal worth around £51m with Aston Villa for Ezri Konsa, giving Mikel Arteta the right-sided defender he wanted to stabilise his back line.
Arteta had already welcomed Jurrien Timber back to fitness, but the manager and recruitment team identified another defender as essential if Arsenal are to defend their Premier League title with authority. Konsa, 28, brings experience, versatility and familiarity with the league, and he is expected to compete with Cristhian Mosquera to deputise for Saliba alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.
The timing is striking. Konsa could make his Arsenal debut against the club he is leaving, with Villa on the schedule next week. For a player stepping into a title defence and leaving behind a side pushing for Europe, it promises to be an emotional, high-stakes introduction.
Spurs eye Savinho and Marmoush in attacking shake-up
Across north London, Tottenham are plotting a double move as Roberto De Zerbi pushes for more firepower. Spurs retain strong interest in Savinho and are also looking at Omar Marmoush, with both players on a shortlist that could reshape their forward line.
Savinho has been on Tottenham’s radar for some time. They seriously considered a £50m bid for the Brazilian winger last summer and have continued to monitor his progress closely. His profile fits the club’s drive for pace, creativity and resale value.
Now Marmoush has entered the frame as well. De Zerbi wants extra goals and variety in attack after a season in which Spurs only just avoided being dragged into a deeper relegation fight. The Italian has already overseen an expensive revamp of the squad; another bold step in the market would underline that survival alone will not be tolerated again.
