Unwavering determination! Baleba has again contacted Manchester United hoping to join, while Ratcliffe's team still dreams of Tchouaméni.

Following the previous World Cup, a defensive midfielder desperately waited for a transfer to Manchester United and finally succeeded: that was Moroccan international Sofyan Amrabat. This summer, Brighton's Carlos Baleba is also waiting for a call from the Red Devils, but he has yet to get a response.

Manchester United have already signed two new midfielders, Youri Tielemans and Andre Santos, but are undecided on who to buy as the third. Sir Jim Ratcliffe's team is hesitant, with many candidates becoming the focus at this moment, including but not limited to Manu Koné of Roma, Tyler Adams and Alex Scott of Bournemouth, Sander Berge of Fulham, and even Danilo of Botafogo in Brazil.

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that the 22-year-old Baleba is anxious, and his agent recently took the initiative to contact Manchester United to find out if the club is still interested in signing the player. United have not recently approached Baleba or Brighton, but the player's side is more proactive.

"As far as I know, as early as August 2025, Baleba was very eager to join Manchester United, and he had already agreed personal terms with the club. He wanted to realize his dream of becoming a Manchester United player. However, because Brighton was unwilling to sell the player, United ultimately failed to complete the transfer," Romano said. "At that time, Baleba was a key target for Amorim, but it didn't work out. Later, while Amorim was still at United, Baleba remained the top choice. But from January onwards, Amorim was sacked, and the plan to sign Baleba was put on hold."

Romano added: "Now, this name has come up again. Why? As far as I know, the player's team has again contacted Manchester United, hoping to push for Baleba's transfer. So, it's Baleba's side trying to find out, after the Ederson transfer is dealt with, and considering all other circumstances regarding Baleba, whether United might reconsider signing him. Baleba wants to know if he has a chance to reopen negotiations with United."

Last year, Brighton demanded £100 million for Baleba, and this summer's price is still unclear, but it is certain that £70 million is not enough, and United's ideal £50 million is even less likely. Although the Cameroonian midfielder performed poorly last season, being substituted at half-time many times, the "Seagulls" have no intention of selling cheap.

Ratcliffe and United's top brass still dream of signing Aurélien Tchouaméni from Real Madrid, believing that the hope of getting Tchouaméni is not completely impossible. Although there are reports that he has renewed his contract with Real Madrid, this claim is inconsistent with rumors that the club is willing to sell him.

The origin of the rumor lies in Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri, who is eager to return home and join Real Madrid. Once Rodri joins, Tchouaméni's starting position would be threatened, which is why United and outsiders believe Tchouaméni might still transfer this summer.

Of course, such rumors based on hypothetical assumptions are purely speculative for now. Real Madrid has not yet taken action on Rodri, and Manchester City still hopes to renew his contract. During Ten Hag's tenure, United also found many reasons to believe Frenkie de Jong had reason to leave Barcelona, yet he is still at the Camp Nou.

Rodri will undergo back surgery on Monday, which will also affect his future. New Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said: "Rodri will have back surgery on Monday. He needs rest, needs time to recover, and then he will return to us. Every coach wants to have Rodri because he is an excellent player. There will always be rumors around good players. I am not worried about the Real Madrid rumors; it's normal. Moreover, the Spanish team won the World Cup, and he was the best player."