Manchester United draw up dream midfielder shortlist after Carlos Baleba talks

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Evening Standard

·26 August 2025

Manchester United draw up dream midfielder shortlist after Carlos Baleba talks

Ruben Amorim is desperate for a new man in the middle amid interest in Adam Wharton and Morten Hjulmand

Targets: Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Morten Hjulmand

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Manchester United have a three-man dream shortlist for a new midfielder this summer.

Ruben Amorim is looking to bolster his squad with an athletic, dynamic midfielder before Monday’s transfer deadline and, according to The Athletic, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand are most admired.

Baleba, earlier in August, emerged as his top target. However, following exploratory talks with Brighton, United decided to end their pursuit of the 21-year-old as the deal was not considered financially viable.

Brighton made clear they have no intention to sell Baleba this summer amid reports that for a deal to have been struck between the two clubs, any fee would have had to have been in the region of Moises Caicedo’s £115million move to Chelsea.

However, with United needing to sell to bring in more players, it is a figure they are unwilling - or unable - to pay.

Star: Adam Wharton

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Wharton has long been admired by United but could face stiff competition for the Palace star. Real Madrid scouts have reportedly been keeping an eye on his progress. He has also been linked with Liverpool and Tottenham this summer.

Next on United’s list of midfield targets is Sporting’s Hjulmand, who Amorim worked with while at the Portuguese giants.

The 26-year-old Denmark international is a key player at Sporting, but no interest is advanced.

It currently remains more likely that the summer window could close with Amorim not getting the position filled.