Manchester United chase £65m Baleba as Arsenal eye Konsa and Liverpool scout Salah successor

LIVE: Man Utd are poised to spend £65 million on Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba as they rebuild after Casemiro’s departure, Arsenal are close to a £40 million signing of Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, and Liverpool remain on the hunt for Mohamed Salah’s heir.

United's midfield rebuild

Manchester United face a clear midfield void after Casemiro left at the end of his contract. Michael Carrick has already added Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, but a third option is needed to balance the squad for the Premier League campaign. The club therefore turned its attention to Brighton’s Cameroonian midfielder Carlos Baleba. United(Image

Arsenal's defensive shortage

Arsenal’s back line has been hit by long‑term injuries to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber. With both unavailable for the start of the Premier League season, manager Mikel Arteta requires a versatile defender who can cover right‑back and centre‑back. England international Ezri Konsa, 28, fits that profile and has become the Gunners’ preferred target. Hello, Matty Hewitt, Senior Sport Central Audience Writer for the 's live blog, posted this on Thursday, August 20.

Liverpool's attack search

Liverpool remain on the hunt for a successor to Mohamed Salah and also need a new left‑winger. Reports from Italy indicate that midfielder Curtis Jones is set to travel for a medical with Inter Milan. Inter have offered around £30 million and a five‑year contract, while Jones is in the final year of his Liverpool deal.

United have reportedly made a £60 million bid for Baleba with an additional £5 million in add‑ons, matching the £65 million figure cited in the live feed. Brighton’s valuation is higher, yet the clubs are said to be in amicable talks to bridge the gap. United’s pursuit continues as both sides aim to finalise the agreement before the September 1 deadline. The photo (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) shows Baleba in action for Brighton.

Arsenal are prepared to meet a £40 million price for Konsa, although Aston Villa values the defender closer to £60 million. The Athletic personal terms are unlikely to hinder the deal, and discussions have reached the ownership level. Both clubs are eager to finalise their deals; Images)CommentsSportMatty.

Curtis Jones’s move to Inter hinges on the completion of his medical, scheduled for today. Should the deal go through, the midfielder will join the Serie A side on a five‑year contract worth roughly £30 million. Liverpool have yet to secure a replacement for Salah, leaving the transfer window open for further activity.

United’s negotiations over Baleba remain ongoing, with the final terms still to be confirmed. Arsenal must close the valuation gap with Villa to secure Konsa before the transfer window shuts. Liverpool await the outcome of Jones’s medical, and both clubs face the deadline pressure as the Premier League season approaches.