Manchester United is splurging to revive their glory, reportedly planning a £200 million midfield overhaul next year! If they fail to sign Balerba, two English-eligible players are the alternatives.

Manchester United’s manager Ruben Amorim is confident he will remain in charge, and the club plans to keep spending big to reinforce the team, with the goal of winning the Premier League again by their 150th anniversary in 2028. "Insight Offside" reports that United aims to acquire two strong midfield additions next year.

This summer, Amorim showed interest in Brighton midfielder Carlos Balerba, and the transfer is expected to be revisited in 2026. The United boss holds him in high regard. United approached Balerba during the summer window, but due to Brighton’s steep asking price, no deal was struck. Brighton’s valuation exceeds the fee Chelsea paid for Moisés Caicedo in 2023, around £120 million.

Balerba continues to play for Brighton this season but started off poorly, being substituted at halftime in last Saturday’s match against Tottenham. After the game, Brighton’s coach Fabian Helzel openly stated that United’s interest affected the player’s performance. Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that United remains keen on Balerba, and Amorim’s trust in the 21-year-old Cameroonian international could be decisive in the transfer process.

Romano said: "Balerba’s last performance for Brighton against Tottenham was really poor, well below what a player of his caliber should deliver. After the match, Helzel was very honest about his views, which is commendable because some managers might have chosen to stay silent and move on."

"But he might be right. Balerba wants to move to Manchester United and is very eager to do so. He has always respected Brighton and never forced a transfer. The issue lies solely between Brighton and United. Brighton has consistently refused to negotiate the transfer fee because they want to keep the player. They might consider letting him go in 2026, but this summer, the club and its chairman were firmly against it. This situation may have impacted the player."

Regarding United’s current stance on Balerba, Romano explained: "During and after the transfer window, United has continued to closely monitor Balerba because he is highly valued by the management and recruitment team, and Amorim really likes him."

However, English media rumors suggest that Premier League title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City are also interested in Balerba and may join the race next year. If the Red Devils miss out on the Champions League again, they could lose ground in the competition. Therefore, the club has alternative targets, such as Crystal Palace’s 21-year-old Adam Walton and Nottingham Forest’s 22-year-old Elliott Anderson. Signing two talented young English-eligible players would align perfectly with owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s criteria.

It is reported that Manchester United is preparing a £200 million budget for midfield signings, enough to secure two of Balerba, Walton, and Anderson. Crystal Palace values Walton between £80 million and £100 million, while Forest demands around £70 million for Anderson. Both are English players and unlikely to come cheap. Moreover, they have long-term contracts: Walton is signed with Palace until 2029, and Anderson’s deal runs until 2028.

Casemiro will be 34 next year and his contract is nearing expiration; Ugarte struggles to adapt to the Premier League pace, and Coby Meno is facing developmental challenges. As for Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, they are better suited to the number 10 role.

The difficulties Amorim faces at Manchester United cannot be solved by signing just one new midfielder. Adding two central midfielders is the minimum requirement.