United target left-back after Baleba signing as Zirkzee loan and Collyer exit loom

Manchester United have signed Carlos Baleba from Brighton and are now targeting a left-back before the summer transfer window closes on September 1, with Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde among the names under consideration.

Baleba is United’s third midfield arrival of the window, following Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. With Marcus Rashford reintegrated to strengthen the left flank, the club’s remaining priority is securing a left-back — the final piece of a recruitment plan first outlined in May.

United’s preferred long-term target is Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, who they view as an ideal successor to Luke Shaw. However, a move this summer was complicated by the club prioritising other positions and by Newcastle’s reluctance to lose another key player after selling Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. Newcastle are now expected to offer Hall a new contract; he has three years remaining on his current deal. United are anticipated to revive their interest in the 22-year-old next summer.

In the meantime, the club are exploring alternatives. There is interest in Balde, though United sources have downplayed the likelihood of completing a deal. Sources in Spain value the Barcelona defender at around £30m, and the Catalan club are unwilling to sanction a loan — even one structured with a purchase obligation. Racing Santander’s Jorge Salinas has also been linked.

On the outgoings side, Joshua Zirkzee has attracted attention from Juventus, who have considered a loan with a potential option or obligation to buy the Dutch forward. United, however, are running short of time to find a replacement, which makes sanctioning his departure less likely before the deadline.

Toby Collyer is expected to leave before the window shuts. West Brom opened preliminary talks over the midfielder earlier this month, and several Championship clubs have also registered interest.

Further academy departures are anticipated. Dan Gore, Diego Leon, Jack Moorhouse, James Overy, Gabriele Biancheri and Jayce Fitzgerald were all absent from the Under-21 squad earlier this week, suggesting their exits are close. Harry Amass and Jaydan Kamason, who both started against Ipswich, could also move on before the deadline.