Man Utd ‘eye Crystal Palace duo’ and explore Carlos Baleba January transfer | Football | Sport

Manchester United have explored the conditions of a possible January swoop for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, but have another five midfielders in their crosshairs, according to reports. The Premier League giants are looking to sign two new players in the centre of the pitch in 2026. And United are presently looking at whether they can utilise the winter transfer window to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s squad.

Sky Sports claim United are exploring any market opportunities to sign players this month while predominantly looking ahead to the summer. Cameroon international Baleba, currently at the Africa Cup of Nations, is one of six midfielders being looked at alongside Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Joao Gomes of Wolves. The Red Devils also like several younger midfielders, including Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi and Olympiakos’ Christos Mouzakitis.

Wharton is not the only Palace player who United could move for in the next two windows. It is claimed their recruitment staff are monitoring the situation of Eagles striker Jean-Philippe Mateta as well as RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande. And Jeremy Jacquet of Rennes is mentioned as a centre-back they admire.

Despite signing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko last summer, Mateta is being looked at as an alternative option through the middle. That’s with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee both set to leave permanently this year. Mateta has grown into one of the Premier League’s most complete centre-forwards and would provide ample experience.

The Frenchman, who turns 29 this June, has seven goals in 17 Premier League appearances this season off the back of 14 and 16-goal campaigns for Palace as their starting No.9. Meanwhile, Wharton has encountered regular injury issues at Selhurst Park but when fit, is one of the best passers in the Premier League and has huge potential.

A deal for either in January appears highly unlikely given their importance to Palace. Likewise, any move for Baleba or Anderson will surely have to wait for the summer. But United want to sign at least one and maybe two top-level central midfielders this year so are willing to wait and revisit their interest at the end of the season if necessary.

United had shown interest in Antoine Semenyo but the Bournemouth winger appears destined to join Manchester City. Speaking on Friday, manager Amorim suggested there aren’t currently any ongoing talks to make a signing in the coming days or weeks.

Amorim said: “The transfer window is not going to change. We have no conversation in this moment to have any change in the squad. There’s the process. There’s an idea that is going to continue. We are near the places of Champions League, but we are also near eight teams behind us. So let’s focus on the next game.”

Zirkzee is among those tipped to leave Old Trafford this month. The injured Kobbie Mainoo is another who could head for the exit door having struggled for consistent game time under the Portuguese head coach. Amorim added: “No. None of them [have asked to leave]. I don’t expect them to come to me to ask for anything.”