Reports reveal that Baleba is no longer Manchester United’s top target for next summer! After a failed transfer, his form has dipped, while two other English tough players are gaining more recognition.

Manchester United plans to reinforce their midfield next year, with a near guarantee of signing a new player, possibly two. But Brighton’s defensive midfielder Carlos Baleba, once pursued by Ruben Amorin this summer, is no longer the preferred option, not even the runner-up.

Brighton set a £120 million price tag on Baleba during the summer transfer window, beyond what Sir Jim Ratcliffe can afford. In fact, Manchester United knew early on that Brighton was unwilling to sell the 21-year-old Cameroonian international. Their attempts were intended to assert their stance and test whether the player could handle the pressure.

Unfortunately, Baleba did not withstand the challenge. After the failed transfer, his performance dropped sharply due to distraction. This season, he hasn’t completed a full 90 minutes in any match and is sometimes substituted at halftime. Brighton’s head coach Fabian Helzer openly acknowledged the rumors heavily affected the player. Baleba’s inability to cope with the pressure has disappointed Manchester United’s decision-makers, who now want a midfielder with consistent performance.

It is reported that Manchester United’s transfer department now considers Crystal Palace’s Adam Walton a better fit. He is linked not only with Manchester United but also with top clubs like Liverpool and Real Madrid. Despite being a 21-year-old English midfielder, Walton remains unaffected. Even missing out on Tuchel’s England squad hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm.

Compared to Baleba, Walton is less physically imposing and defensive; he resembles an excellent midfield organizer with passing skills similar to former Manchester United legend Michael Carrick. Walton has overtaken Baleba as Manchester United’s primary transfer target for next year. Ruben Amorin highly values this Crystal Palace midfielder’s balance, noting that when Walton has forward passing opportunities, he does not play it safe with sideways passes.

A Manchester United insider stated: “Baleba has long been a target for our midfield recruitment, but his poor start this season has led the club’s transfer staff to consider a completely different type of player, and Walton fits that profile perfectly. An analyst compared Walton’s playing style to Carrick, who remains a fan favorite at Old Trafford.”

“He can stabilize the team and is a midfielder of an entirely different caliber, with assured ball control,” the insider added. “Baleba may offer more shielding, but does his ball control match Walton’s level? The club needs the latter.”

“Football Insider” reports that Baleba’s current reputation is even lower than Nottingham Forest’s newly capped England international Elliot Anderson. Former Manchester United chief scout Mike Brown explained: “Baleba’s decline is concerning for Manchester United. He wants to join the club, but ideally, even if the transfer fails, you want the player to keep showing his abilities. He is undoubtedly talented and strong, but if he is this affected already, how will he handle pressure after joining Manchester United? That’s a worry.”

Brown added: “Manchester United cannot afford to bring in a player who performs brilliantly one day but disappears the next due to mental lapses. Therefore, the club must decide clearly what type of player they want and the role in the team. United are also monitoring Anderson, who fits the perfect profile. If Anderson can play for Forest and England as he does, running everywhere, tackling, raising the game’s tempo, and keeping the ball moving, I believe Anderson suits Manchester United better.”

Whether it’s Walton, Anderson, or Baleba, none are likely to transfer in the January window; any deal would have to wait until the end of this season, with a chance next summer.