Man United makes Contact for Carlos Baleba Alternative

Manchester United Identify Morten Hjulmand as Midfield Alternative to Carlos Baleba

Manchester United’s pursuit of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba has led the club to explore alternative options, with Sporting Lisbon’s Morten Hjulmand emerging as a strong candidate.

According to BBC journalist Simon Stone, a person with knowledge of Hjulmand’s situation believes the Danish midfielder is set to move this summer, and United’s attention could turn to the Portuguese capital if their efforts to sign Baleba prove unsuccessful.

The Old Trafford club has made a central midfielder a priority for the remainder of the transfer window.

While Baleba is believed to be the top target, Brighton’s reported valuation of over £100 million has made the deal difficult to finalize.

This has prompted Manchester United to consider a more financially viable alternative, and Hjulmand, a player well-known to United manager Ruben Amorim from their time together at Sporting, fits the profile.

Stone’s source indicated that if United “exhaust their inquiries for Carlos Baleba, their sights may turn to Lisbon.” This suggests a contingency plan is in place and that the club is not putting all its eggs in one basket.

Hjulmand, 26, played a crucial role under Amorim at Sporting, with the former manager reportedly a big admirer of his leadership qualities and his ability to operate within the 3-4-3 system.

Reports from Portugal and other news outlets suggest that Hjulmand could be available for a fee in the region of £50 million, a figure significantly lower than Brighton’s demands for Baleba.

While Sporting had an £80 million release clause in his contract, they are reportedly willing to negotiate a lower fee with potential add-ons.

The potential move for Hjulmand would be a strategic one for United, as he would arrive with a pre-existing understanding of Amorim’s tactical demands, potentially allowing him to settle quickly at Old Trafford.