United submit £65m Baleba bid as Arsenal refuse to rule out Lewis-Skelly sale

Manchester United have submitted an opening bid of £60 million for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, with a further £5 million in potential add-ons, as manager Michael Carrick pushes to complete a third midfield signing before the summer window closes. The Athletic reports the two clubs are closing in on an agreement, despite the offer falling short of Brighton’s valuation.

The move for the 22-year-old Cameroon international follows United’s long-standing interest in Baleba, whom the club pursued last summer before renewing their approach this window. The urgency has increased after Manuel Ugarte sustained an injury during the World Cup, leaving Carrick short of options in the centre of the park. Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos have already arrived at Old Trafford as part of a midfield overhaul.

Separately, United’s chances of signing Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly received a boost after Arsenal CEO Richard Garlick stopped short of ruling out a sale. It was reported that United had been offered the 19-year-old — who can operate at left-back and in central midfield — following Bruno Guimaraes’ arrival at Arsenal from Newcastle.

“There’s been a lot of speculation around players,” Garlick said when asked about Lewis-Skelly and fellow Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri. “I can’t stop other clubs being interested. I think Myles has had a fantastic end to last season and has started this one really well — we’re very, very happy with him.”

Garlick added: “We are not actively looking at selling those homegrown players but if the right opportunity came up — right for them and the club — we’d obviously consider that.”

Lewis-Skelly’s versatility makes him an attractive option for Carrick, who is also in the market for a new left-back. United’s interest in the teenager is understood to have intensified in recent weeks, though Arsenal’s public stance suggests any deal would require a significant offer.

With the window entering its final stretch, United appear to be prioritising the Baleba deal first, before turning their full attention to the left-back position and any potential move for Lewis-Skelly.