Tim Sherwood says Carlos Baleba is ‘not a game-changing signing’ and has named the England midfielder Manchester United should be targeting.
It was reported on Wednesday that United were closing in on the signing of Brighton star Baleba after submitting an offer worth up to £65million.
The Red Devils attempted to sign the 22-year-old last summer and had even agreed personal terms with the player, only to be priced out of a move.
It appears the Seagulls have lowered their valuation somewhat after the Cameroon international’s form dipped last season, with the suggestion being that the transfer talk had become a distraction.
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Michael Carrick’s priority this summer has been to sign three midfielders, with Baleba set to follow Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans though the door at Old Trafford.
But while Sherwood rates the Brighton man, he is stunned that United are not interested in a different Premier League midfielder.
Asked if he thought Baleba was a good signing for United, the Premier League-winning captain told Sky Sports News: ‘Yeah, I’m a Baleba! I think he’s very good.
‘I’m a bit surprised they haven’t done it earlier. Whether Brighton have been waiting to try and get the price up.
‘If they’re letting him go now he was obviously available at the beginning of the window, so just go and take him and bring him to Michael as quickly as possible and let him fit into the system and how he wants to play.
‘I’m really surprised they haven’t gone for Adam Wharton or any team hasn’t gone for Adam Wharton. He would have been my choice. I like players who are a little bit more cultured.
‘Maybe the balance of the midfield that they already have at Manchester United, they need someone with legs in there to get around the pitch and I think Baleba fits that bill.
‘I still think he’s raw but he’s going to good coaches in Michael Carrick and Jonathan Woodgate, he’s in good hands there. It’s positive news for Man United fans, just add one to your squad because there’s more games now.’
United have been linked with Wharton in the past, who has played a key role in Crystal Palace’s success over the past two seasons, notably winning player of the match in their Conference League final victory in May.
Shockingly omitted from England’s World Cup squad, the 22-year-old, valued at around £100m, is now said to be of interest to Manchester City as a potential replacement for Rodri.
While Wharton would seem ready to jump into any team, Sherwood has warned United that Baleba, who will miss the start of the season because of an ankle injury, is ‘not the finished article’.
‘I’m not sure he’s a game-changer signing, I wouldn’t be that excited,’ the former Tottenham player and manager added.
‘I’m not falling off my chair if I’m a Man United fan about this signing.
‘He’s got a lot of developing to come, and the reason why his fee has gone down is because he was so poor last season. He’s brought the fee down. But he’s not a dud signing, that’s for sure.
‘And he’s still got development in him but he’s not finished. They’ve got a lot of young players that are not finished articles. Tielemans is and Kobbie Mainoo is still developing, so it’s another option for Carrick.’
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