Man Utd can now sign Carlos Baleba upgrade for £35m in January - opinion

Manchester United could sign a new defensive midfielder when the transfer window reopens at the turn of the year.

The Red Devils were linked with several holding midfielders over the summer, but a deal did not materialise for any of them.

Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba was the top target, but United were put off by the hefty £115 million plus valuation.

United tried to secure a season-long loan for Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid on deadline day, but that did not work out.

In our view, the Red Devils should now look into a deal for Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume during the winter transfer window.

The Frenchman has developed into a top-quality holding midfielder at the Andalusian outfit and has had a fine start this season.

He averages four recoveries, two tackles and two clearances per La Liga game. He has won around 52 percent of his ground and aerial duels.

Agoume has also impressed with his work rate. He has been dubbed the ‘next N’Golo Kante‘ after his big breakthrough at Sevilla last season.

The 23-year-old has a release clause worth £35 million in his contract, and would represent a bargain signing for the Red Devils in January.

With Sevilla’s financial troubles due to the lack of European football, United could prise him away for a lesser fee upfront with add-ons.

Based on the current season, he would be an upgrade on Baleba. The latter’s form has been below par on the back of the summer transfer saga.

The Cameroonian ace has won 48 percent of his duels in the league. He has made one tackle and one clearance per game with three recoveries.

The most glaring statistic has been his distribution so far. He averages just 14 passes per league appearance compared to Agoume’s 33.

Agoume has chipped in with two key goal contributions compared to Baleba’s none.

Agoume is far from a finished product, but the ex-Inter Milan man has huge potential. He would be a good signing without paying over the odds.

Stats from Sofascore.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .