Transfer rumors, news: Man United push for Baleba, look at Wharton

Authors: ESPN

Publisher:

ESPN

Published: 8/14/2025

Language:English

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Tom Banks

Good morning 跑了松鼠好嘛, I'm Tom Banks, and this is Goose Pod for you. Today is Tuesday, August 26th.

Mask

And I'm Mask. We're here to discuss the chaos of the transfer market, specifically Manchester United's big-money push for a new midfielder.

Tom Banks

Let's get started. The big story is Manchester United's pursuit of Brighton's 21-year-old midfielder, Carlos Baleba. But Brighton has slapped a staggering £115 million price tag on him, a figure United seems unwilling to meet right now. It feels like a high-stakes poker game.

Mask

Poker? This isn't a game. It's about ambition. If you want the best, you pay the price. Hesitation is failure. They're already considering a pivot to Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace. It’s a classic case of indecision. You identify the target, you acquire the target. Period.

Tom Banks

Well, that indecision might be what Marcus Rashford was talking about. He recently said the club is in 'no man's land' due to a lack of clear identity and constantly changing strategies since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. It's a pretty sharp critique from a key player.

Mask

Rashford is absolutely right. He said, 'Show me a successful team that just adapts.' You need a vision, a plan, and you execute it relentlessly. This wobbling between Baleba and Wharton because of a price tag is the exact 'no man's land' he’s describing. It’s pathetic.

Tom Banks

That £115 million figure seems astronomical, but it's part of a long history. In the late 19th century, transfers were informal. The first one with a fee was in 1893, just £400 for Jack Southworth. Clubs had all the power with the 'retain-and-transfer' system.

Mask

A system designed to control assets, I can appreciate the efficiency. But it was bound to break. Stifling talent and movement is a fundamentally flawed business model. Progress requires disruption, and that system was begging to be dismantled. It was a ticking time bomb for innovation.

Tom Banks

And it was. The big crack appeared in 1963 with the George Eastham ruling, which called the system an unreasonable restraint of trade. But the real earthquake was the 1995 Bosman ruling. It completely shifted the power dynamic towards the players, allowing them to move for free at the end of their contracts.

Mask

The Bosman ruling was a market correction. It introduced true competition. Clubs could no longer hoard talent indefinitely. It forced them to be smarter, to manage contracts better, and to pay what the market dictated. It’s the reason we’re seeing these nine-figure valuations today. It’s not inflation, it’s liberation.

Tom Banks

It certainly fueled the fire. Clubs started offering longer contracts to protect their assets, which in turn drove up the fees for players still under contract. Now, we see these mega-transfers, like Neymar's move for €222 million, which have an inflationary effect on the entire market.

Tom Banks

This brings us to the core conflict: how is a player's value even determined? Research shows it's a mix of things. Age is a huge factor, with value peaking in a player's mid-career. Then you have performance metrics like goals and assists, which are obviously critical.

Mask

It's simpler than academics make it seem. It’s about irreplaceability and immediate impact. Can this player win you the title? Yes? Then he's worth whatever the selling club demands. All these regression models and statistical analyses are just noise. The only stat that matters is the win column.

Tom Banks

But contract length is a real, tangible factor, especially after Bosman. A player with three years left on his deal is a much more valuable asset than one with just one year remaining. And sometimes, negotiations get completely stalled by third parties, like disputes between agents. It's not always straightforward.

Mask

Obstacles are meant to be overcome. If an agent is a problem, you either cut them out or you make them an offer they can't refuse. If a contract is an issue, you pay a premium to solve it. Seeing these as 'conflicts' is the wrong mindset. They are simply variables in the equation of victory.

Tom Banks

The impact of these massive fees is immense. For the club, it's a huge financial gamble that puts immense pressure on their budget. For the player, carrying a £115 million price tag comes with an unimaginable weight of expectation to perform from day one. It can be crushing.

Mask

Pressure forges diamonds. We don't pay for comfort; we pay for results. The impact I care about is on the league table. A single, game-changing player can elevate an entire organization, generate more revenue, and attract better talent. The financial risk is offset by the reward of dominance.

Tom Banks

True, but it also creates a wider gap between the super-rich clubs and everyone else. When a handful of teams can afford these players, it can affect the competitive balance of the entire league. It turns the market into a playground for the few, which might not be healthy long-term.

Tom Banks

Looking to the future, you have to wonder if this is sustainable. Will we see a £200 million midfielder in the next few years? A club's long-term recruitment strategy has to be about more than just breaking the bank every summer. It has to be about smart scouting and development.

Mask

The future isn't about spending less; it's about being smarter and bolder. It’s about leveraging data to find the next Baleba before he costs £115 million. But when a generational talent is available, you do whatever it takes to acquire him. The future belongs to the decisive.

Tom Banks

That's the end of today's discussion. Thank you for listening to Goose Pod. See you tomorrow.

Mask

Indeed. The transfer market waits for no one. Stay ahead of the curve.

## Soccer Transfer Rumors and News: Manchester United Eyes Baleba and Wharton, Konaté's Future Uncertain **News Title/Type:** Transfer Rumors and News **Report Provider/Author:** ESPN **Date/Time Period Covered:** August 14, 2025 (as of 07:50 AM ET) **Relevant News Identifiers:** URL: `https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45971541/transfer-rumors-news-manchester-united-adam-wharton-carlos-baleba` This report from ESPN details the latest transfer market activities and rumors in the soccer world, with a particular focus on Manchester United's transfer targets and the potential departure of Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté. ### Key Transfer Developments and Rumors: **Manchester United's Midfield Pursuit:** * **Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion):** Manchester United is reportedly making a "real concerted effort" to sign the 21-year-old midfielder. * **Valuation:** Brighton is demanding an offer exceeding **£100 million** for Baleba. * **United's Stance:** The "Red Devils" are expected to **not pay £100 million** for Baleba, according to The Daily Telegraph. * **Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace):** Wharton is Manchester United's "second option" if securing Baleba proves too difficult. * **Competition:** Real Madrid is also linked with a move for Adam Wharton. **Ibrahima Konaté's Liverpool Future:** * **Real Madrid Interest:** Liverpool believes that contact between Konaté and Real Madrid is "a reality," with a potential informal agreement for the defender to join Madrid next summer when his contract expires. * **Contract Situation:** Liverpool is urgently trying to secure a new deal for the 26-year-old to prevent a repeat of the Trent Alexander-Arnold situation. * **Madrid's Plan:** Real Madrid is reportedly leaving a first-team squad spot open this season in anticipation of a potential move before the transfer window closes. * **Liverpool's Offer:** Liverpool plans to offer Konaté a new contract in the coming days and will consider offers if he does not agree. **Other Notable Transfer Rumors:** * **Nathan Broadhead (Ipswich Town):** Wrexham is reportedly set to break their transfer record by signing the striker for up to **£10 million**. * **Player Performance:** Broadhead scored 13 goals in Ipswich's 2023-24 Championship promotion but only two in the Premier League. He has 14 caps for Wales. * **Wrexham's Record:** Wrexham's previous transfer record was £3 million for Lewis O'Brien last month. * **Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco):** Manchester City is interested in the 23-year-old winger as a potential alternative to Rodrygo of Real Madrid. * **Player Contribution:** Akliouche contributed to 19 goals in 43 games across all competitions last season. * **Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea):** Initial talks have begun between Inter Milan and Chelsea for the forward. * **Inter's Interest:** Inter sees Nkunku as a potential alternative to Ademola Lookman. * **Competition:** Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig are also reportedly interested in Nkunku. * **Newcastle's Interest in Samu Aghehowa (FC Porto):** Newcastle is preparing an offer for the striker as a potential replacement for Alexander Isak. * **Porto's Valuation:** Porto has previously sought an offer up to **£80 million** for the 21-year-old. * **Crystal Palace Targeting Harvey Elliott (Liverpool):** Palace has identified Elliott as their No. 1 transfer target to replace Eberechi Eze. * **Manchester City Considering Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig):** City is weighing up options for the attacking midfielder, potentially challenging Chelsea for his signature. * **Juventus Interested in Andrey Santos (Chelsea):** The Italian club is considering a move for the midfielder, with a potential fee of around **€40 million**. * **Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich) to Al Nassr:** The winger is set to complete a move to the Saudi club. * **AS Roma Interested in Leon Bailey (Aston Villa):** The Italian club is showing interest in the Aston Villa winger. * **Bayern Munich Struggling for Nick Woltemade (VfB Stuttgart):** Bayern is facing difficulties in their pursuit of the striker. * **Everton and Southampton in Talks for Tyler Dibling:** The Saints are reportedly seeking an offer between **€55 million and €65 million** for the winger. * **Besiktas Interested in Jadon Sancho (Manchester United):** The Turkish club is reportedly interested in the Manchester United winger. * **AC Milan Looking at Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht):** The Italian club is considering the attacking midfielder. * **Matt O'Riley (Brighton) Interested in Juventus:** The midfielder is reportedly interested in a move to Juventus, who have him on their shortlist. * **Paris FC Keen on Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt):** The French club is reportedly interested in signing the goalkeeper. * **Nice Pushing for Odsonne Edouard (Crystal Palace):** Nice is advancing their approach to sign the striker. * **Roma in Contract Talks with Paulo Dybala:** Negotiations are ongoing for a contract extension at Stadio Olimpico. * **MLS and Bundesliga Clubs Monitoring Andrew Moran (Brighton):** Several clubs are keeping tabs on the Brighton midfielder. * **Barcelona Working on Eric Garcia Contract Extension:** The club is looking to reach an agreement for a new contract with the defender. * **Fenerbahce Pulls Out of Marco Asensio Race:** The Turkish club is now focused on signing Kerem Akturkoglu from Benfica. ### Confirmed Deal: * **Koni De Winter (Genoa) to AC Milan:** AC Milan has announced the signing of De Winter on a contract through to **2030**.

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Are Tottenham ready to sign Eberechi Eze ahead of Arsenal? (1:32)Gab & Juls debate whether Eberechi Eze will be a good fit for Tottenham or Arsenal. (1:32)ESPNAug 14, 2025, 07:50 AM ETManchester United will make a real concerted effort to sign either Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba or Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, while Ibrahima Konaté could leave Liverpool before the window closes.

Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men's grades | Women's gradesTOP STORIES- Sources: City eye Donnarumma, want Ederson stay- Rashford: 'Reactionary' Man Utd in 'no man's land'- Sources: Højlund wants Utd stay; future uncertainTRENDING RUMORS- Manchester United will push forward with their move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, according to The Independent.

United want to get the deal over the line in the current transfer window, while the Seagulls are demanding an offer worth more than £100 million to part ways with the 21-year-old. The Red Devils are expected to pivot to Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who is also linked with Real Madrid, as their second option if they feel securing an agreement for Baleba looks out of reach.

The Daily Telegraph, meanwhile, states United will not pay £100 million to land Baleba.- Liverpool believe that contact between Ibrahima Konaté and Real Madrid is "a reality" and there may already be an informal agreement for the defender to join Madrid next summer when his contract expires, Marca reports.

The Premier League club are urgently trying to get Konaté to sign a new deal to avoid a repeat of the Trent Alexander-Arnold situation, the newspaper says. Madrid are going to leave a spot free in their first-team squad for this season, just in case there's any movement before the transfer window closes.

Liverpool are planning to offer the 26-year-old a new contract in the coming days, and if he doesn't agree then they will then consider offers.- Wrexham are set to smash their transfer record by signing Ipswich Town striker Nathan Broadhead in a deal worth up to £10 million, according to BBC Sport.

The 27-year-old, who began his career at Everton, scored 13 goals as Ipswich were promoted from the Championship in 2023-24, but he scored only two times in the Premier League. He has won 14 caps for Wales and is into the final year of his contract. Wrexham broke their transfer record only last month when they signed Lewis O'Brien for £3 million from Nottingham Forest.

Manchester City are interested in Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche, says Florian Plettenberg. City have added the 23-year-old to their shortlist as manager Pep Guardiola looks to reinforce his forward line, and Akliouche is seen as a potential alternative to Real Madrid's Rodrygo. He directly contributed to 19 goals in 43 games across all competitions last season, and has also recently been linked with Internazionale.

- Initial talks between Internazionale and Chelsea over a move for forward Christopher Nkunku have begun, reports Florian Plettenberg. The Serie A club have expressed their interest in the 27-year-old, who they have identified as a potential alternative to Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman. Nkunku is expected to be moved on from Stamford Bridge before the end of the window, but the Nerazzurri could face competition from the Bundesliga, with Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig also looking at him.

EXPERT TAKEplay1:11Will Man United meet Brighton's valuation for Carlos Baleba?Gab & Juls discuss Manchester United's interest in Carlos Baleba.CONFIRMED DEALS- AC Milan have announced the signing of Koni De Winter from Genoa on a contract through to 2030.OTHER RUMORS- An offer is being prepared by Newcastle for FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa as manager Eddie Howe continues his search to find a potential replacement for Alexander Isak, who wants out amid a failed bid from Liverpool.

Porto have previously been looking for an offer worth up to £80 million for the 21-year-old. (Football Insider)- Crystal Palace have made Liverpool star Harvey Elliott their No. 1 transfer target as a potential replacement for Eberechi Eze. (The Sun)- Manchester City are "contemplating" a move for RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons.

City are reportedly weighing up options as Savinho and James McAtee are among the latest linked with a switch away from the club, and they could now challenge Chelsea for the 22-year-old. (talkSPORT)- Juventus are considering a move for Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, who could be signed for around €40 million.

(Corriere dello Sport)- Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman is set to complete a move to Al Nassr. (Fabrizio Romano)- AS Roma are interested in Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey. (The Athletic)- Bayern Munich are struggling to make progress in their pursuit of VfB Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade. (Dennis Bayer)- Talks are continuing between Everton and Southampton over a move for winger Tyler Dibling.

The Saints are looking for an offer between €55 million and €65 million. (Florian Plettenberg)- Besiktas are interested in Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho. (TEAMtalk)- AC Milan are looking at Anderlecht attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens. (Foot Mercato)- Brighton midfielder Matt O'Riley is interested in a switch to Juventus.

The Bianconeri have added him as one of three names on their shortlist. (Fabrizio Romano)- Paris FC are keen to sign Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. (Florian Plettenberg)- Nice are pushing forward with an approach to sign Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Edouard. (Foot Mercato)- Talks are ongoing between Roma and forward Paulo Dybala regarding a contract extension at the Stadio Olimpico.

(Corriere dello Sport)- Clubs in MLS and the Bundesliga are keeping tabs on Brighton midfielder Andrew Moran. (Football Insider)- Barcelona are looking to reach an agreement over a new contract with defender Eric Garcia. (Diario Sport)- Fenerbahce have pulled out of the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Marco Asensio, with the Turkish club now fully focused on bringing Benfica's Turkish forward Kerem Akturkoglu instead.

(Diario AS)