Carlos Baleba to Man United transfer latest - demand made, player 'request', Brighton stance

Manchester United could complete their summer transfer business with the sensational signing of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba - but convincing the south coast club won't be easy.

The 21-year-old has emerged as a potential reinforcement for Ruben Amorim's midfield, helping to ease the defensive burden on Bruno Fernandes. Baleba's arrival would also enable Fernandes to get on the ball more and dictate play from the midfield base - an area where the Portugal international is expected to excel.

United have so far welcomed Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko to Old Trafford this summer. Could Baleba be the fifth signing?

Here, MEN Sport takes a look at the latest news surrounding Baleba.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano, who specialises in transfers, provided an update on the situation. "Man United maintain contacts with the agents of Carlos Baleba. They want to confirm that," he said in a YouTube video uploaded on Saturday evening.

"Man United are speaking again and again even today with the agents of Carlos Baleba about the contract, about the salary, so Man United and players' side want to advance so let's see what happens with Brighton. At the moment with Brighton it's still not something advanced or concrete or easy. They know that Brighton will remain very high but the contacts are still ongoing. The player is not closing doors to Manchester United. So Manchester United from what I feel, they want to try.

"They want to try and say, 'Okay we believe Baleba is the best fit player. We are very happy with our market because Man United signed Cunha, Mbeumo, Sesko' - players they wanted. Now they say, 'if we can get the perfect midfielder, good, otherwise we will move on'. But Man United