Manchester United's top target for new midfield signing in winter and summer transfer windows revealed! Mbemou persuades Ballaiba, possibly in vain

The Sun reports that Manchester United’s £71 million winger Mbemou is trying to persuade Carlos Ballaiba to sign for the club; both recently played for Cameroon in the African World Cup qualifiers, where Cameroon did not qualify directly.

It is claimed that Mbemou and Ballaiba’s relationship has become closer during the national team matches than before, with outsiders thinking Mbemou might be the best person to convince Ballaiba to move from Brighton to Manchester United. Insider sources say Mbemou has been sharing the excitement of joining a prestigious club like Manchester United and acts like an "older brother" figure to the 21-year-old Ballaiba.

During the September international break, after Cameroon suffered a shocking 0-1 defeat to Cape Verde, Mbemou comforted Ballaiba on the pitch and shielded him from pitch invaders. The island nation of Cape Verde, with a population of 600,000, has now qualified for its first-ever World Cup. Cameroon’s World Cup fate will now depend on the upcoming playoffs next month, competing against Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Gabon for the final spot.

British media report that Mbemou is encouraging Ballaiba to push for a transfer during the January window next year, but realistically, any potential move is more likely to happen next summer. Manchester United’s winter window pursuit of Ballaiba faces three major obstacles: Brighton’s refusal, their own financial constraints, and the player’s poor form.

In fact, the idea of a national team teammate persuading a player to join Manchester United is nothing new; this summer, the “messenger” role was played by goalkeeper André Onana. It is well known that Onana ultimately lost his own position and was loaned to Trabzonspor in the Turkish league. Now, Mbemou has taken over the baton.

Actually, Mbemou doesn’t really need to convince Ballaiba to join Manchester United, as the latter was already willing. The reason he didn’t wear the Red Devils’ jersey last summer was Brighton’s £120 million asking price. Transfer fees remain a major factor in any future potential deal.

Ballaiba remains one of Manchester United’s favored players, but they are also evaluating other options, and some may now take priority over the Cameroonian defensive midfielder. After the summer transfer saga, his form has sharply declined; in the first seven league games this season, he hasn’t completed a full match, and his attitude has been questioned.

According to TEAMtalk, among Manchester United’s five midfield candidates, the other four are Crystal Palace’s Adam Walton, Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson, Porto’s Victor Froholdt, and Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham. United’s number one target has shifted to Crystal Palace’s Walton. This 21-year-old English midfielder is praised for his composed ball control and excellent tactical awareness, drawing comparisons to Carrick and Declan Rice.

Sources close to Manchester United reveal that Walton is highly favored by Amolin and his coaching staff, who believe Walton fits perfectly into their system. However, signing Walton mid-season is nearly impossible, with a price tag of at least £70 million.

It is reported that if United make a winter signing, they are more likely to acquire Dortmund’s young Bellingham, the younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham. Since transferring to Dortmund, the younger Bellingham’s development has not met expectations, remaining a substitute and rotation player. Therefore, rumors suggest he may be considered for a loan in the winter window.

Loaning a midfielder is Manchester United’s most probable transfer plan for January next year. TEAMtalk states that with the 2026 World Cup approaching, the younger Bellingham’s progress has stalled, making a loan back to the Premier League a reasonable move. Insiders say Manchester United could leverage his unstable situation by offering more playing time to attract him. Of course, the 20-year-old Bellingham is not the defensive midfielder United most urgently needs but more of a box-to-box English-style midfielder, similar to Coby Meno.

As for Porto’s Victor Froholdt, he is a 22-year-old Danish player admired for his energy and set-piece skills, having performed well in Porto’s Champions League and domestic league matches. Moreover, with only 18 months left on his contract, his transfer fee might be reduced.