Manchester United have recontacted Brighton & Hove Albion to explore a possible January move for midfield target Carlos Baleba, sources say. Sky Sports News reports the Red Devils have again asked about the feasibility of a deal for the 22-year-old.

Baleba endured a drop in individual form after the summer and has stressed it was not down to United’s failed approach during the summer . Brighton, however, remain expected to resist a midseason transfer. As in the summer, the Seagulls are holding out and hope to retain Baleba until the summer, when they anticipate multiple suitors could provoke a bidding contest for the central midfielder.

Although Baleba is viewed as United’s primary midfield target, he is not the only player under consideration. Interest in Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is understood to be genuine, but all three midfielders are likely to carry significant price tags as Europe’s leading clubs circle.

United have also been linked with younger, less costly options. Lille’s 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi and 19-year-old Christos Mouzakitis of Olympiacos have been mentioned as alternative targets while the club assesses the market ahead of January.

Amid speculation, Amorim has publicly attempted to temper expectations, saying that “there have been no talks about reinforcements or departures during the January window .” The manager added that fringe players attracting attention have not asked to leave. He insisted that players such as Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee have not requested moves this month and that he does not expect to hold those conversations despite interest from across Europe.

For now, United are understood to be monitoring options while Brighton maintain a firm stance on Baleba, leaving a potential summer transfer as the likeliest moment for any move to progress.

Arsenal suffered a late injury setback in the final stages of the pre-match routine before hosting Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

At 2:46 p.m. GMT, 14 minutes before kick-off, Arsenal confirmed a late change to the starting lineup after left back Riccardo Calafiori picked up what was described only as an “issue” during the pre-game warm-up.

Myles Lewis-Skelly was drafted in and handed his first Premier League start of 2025–26. Lewis-Skelly had made that role his own last season and played his way into the England squad as a result.

The timing was unwelcome for Arsenal, arriving as Gabriel featured in a matchday squad for the first time since suffering an injury on international duty in mid-November. Gabriel Jesus has also recently returned, with Kai Havertz potentially only “days” away from his comeback.

Calafiori’s withdrawal led to 16-year-old Marli Salmon being added to the matchday squad among the substitutes. The versatile teenager, able to operate at right back or centre back, has appeared a handful of times in recent weeks and his inclusion underlines Mikel Arteta’s readiness to hand opportunities to young talents.

Salmon was on the bench for the Premier League defeat at the hands of Aston Villa earlier this month. He was then given a senior debut for the final seven minutes of the Champions League win over Club Brugge a few days later, before re-emerging among the substitutes against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup four days ago.

The defender grew up in north east London and was part of the first-team squad during preseason 2025 while still 15. He will not turn 17 until August 29 next year.

Discussing Salmon’s involvement against Club Brugge, Arteta remarked: “We had to really consider it because we were playing a really good side that had some really good results in the Champions League at home, but we knew that at some point we had to use him.”

Carlos Baleba has acknowledged that persistent links to Manchester United amplified expectations and contributed to a difficult run of form this season. After emerging last term as one of Europe’s most impressive defensive midfielders, the Brighton midfielder has struggled to replicate that level and his performances have tested manager Fabian Hürzeler’s trust.

The German boss has used Baleba sparingly this term, with the player completing the full 90 minutes in just one of Brighton’s 16 top-flight fixtures. That reduced role has coincided with a more uneven campaign for the 17 shirt and greater scrutiny around his consistency.

Asked about whether the transfer speculation affected him, Baleba was initially dismissive. “I don’t think it affected me,” he told Sky Sports News after enduring more highs and lows in Saturday’s 2–0 defeat to Liverpool . He was, however, candid about the weight of expectation. “I had a lot of pressure on me,” he conceded.

Baleba described his own standards and the work required to return to last season’s form. “When I started the season, I wanted to [have] the same performances as last season. Every day I try to work hard and to get [back] to my level.” On whether he had demanded too much of himself he added: “Did I put too much pressure on myself? Yes, I think so, but I think that’s good. It’s good for me because now I need to pass this time of pressure and I need to get up and continue to work.”

Manchester United shifted last summer’s recruitment focus away from midfield, spending around £200 million on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Šeško, but their need for central midfield reinforcements remains. Brighton’s No. 17 is one option among several, with other names also emerging as potential targets.

Meanwhile, Elliot Anderson has risen this season, and any incoming midfielder would be expected to ease the burden on Casemiro, who is out of contract next summer. Adam Wharton also offers experience of operating in a 3-4-2-1 shape for Crystal Palace, giving clubs alternative profiles to consider.