Man United close in on Kadioglu as Baleba deal confirmed and Balde pursuit cools

Manchester United have confirmed Carlos Baleba as their third midfield signing of the summer, agreeing a five-year contract with the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder in a deal worth £65m plus £5m in add-ons. Attention at Old Trafford has now shifted to the left-back position ahead of the transfer deadline.

Turkish outlet As Marca reports that United are set to sign Brighton’s Ferdi Kadioglu in a deal worth £40m. The Netherlands-born Turkey international joined Brighton from Fenerbahce two years ago, and the Turkish club are reportedly due 10% of any transfer fee under the terms of that original sale.

United’s interest in Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde appears to be fading. Sources in Spain suggest Barcelona value the left-back at around £30m, but United sources have downplayed the likelihood of a deal, with Barcelona unwilling to loan out the former Spain international. Reports from SPORT indicate that Balde’s close friend and Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal is unhappy with the situation, and that Balde himself is reconsidering his desire to remain at the Catalan club following a meeting with his agent, Jorge Mendes — with Barcelona now said to be open to a sale.

Lewis Hall of Newcastle United has also been identified as an admired target, described internally as a dream long-term successor to Luke Shaw. However, a deal this window is considered unlikely given Newcastle’s reluctance to sell further after already parting with Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes, and Sandro Tonali. United are expected to revisit their interest in Hall next summer, when the club plans to invest significantly in defensive reinforcements.

With the transfer window closing at 11pm on deadline day, United’s immediate priority is securing a left-back, and Kadioglu now appears to be the frontrunner to fill that role.