Manchester United’s search for midfield reinforcements has taken another twist. The club had apparently made Brighton’s Carlos Baleba their prime target, but the asking price of more than £100 million left the deal out of reach. With time running out in the summer window, the Red Devils are now looking at a cheaper but still effective solution.

A central midfielder would still boost United, though. Ruben Amorim opted to start with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro in Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal, swapping the latter with Manuel Ugarte in the second half and leaving Kobbie Mainoo on the bench.

While it looks unlikely Manchester United will strike a deal for Carlos Baleba this month, a clause in his contract could continue to complicate proceedings for the Brighton midfielder in the future