Manchester United appear unlikely to sign Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba before the summer transfer deadline. The Red Devils are reportedly prepared to delay their pursuit until next summer amid a struggle to meet Brighton's valuation of over £100million.

Ruben Amorim has already splashed in excess of £200m to reshape his attack with the signings of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. So the Portuguese head coach, subsequently, could be forced to search for cheaper alternatives to address his team's midfield frailties in the coming months.

United might not be out of the picture yet, though. Amorim is counting on multiple player sales to boost the budget and fund further arrivals before the transfer window slams shut.

Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia are all expected to depart after spending the entirety of pre-season away from the squad.

Rasmus Hojlund is also in the shop window after being replaced by Sesko and playing just 18 minutes across United's final two pre-season friendlies.

The Red Devils cannot expect to generate significant funds by offloading Tyrell Malacia, who has been desperately short of interest.

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But Garnacho, Antony, Sancho and Hojlund all represent sellable assets who could boost Amorim's transfer kitty imminently.

Chelsea are actively in talks over Garnacho's transfer fee after agreeing on personal terms with the 21-year-old winger. If United get their own way, his sale will bring in £50m.

The Old Trafford giants also look set to accept an offer for Sancho from Roma worth £20m. It remains to be seen whether the Serie A club can meet his financial demands.

Antony is waiting to return to Real Betis, but that prospect is looking increasingly unlikely due to the La Liga outfit's financial restrictions.

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United reportedly want £30m to part ways with the Brazilian, and there is active interest in Saudi Arabia, where the deadline is later than in Europe.

AC Milan are at the forefront of the race for Hojlund. The Italians are said to have tabled a £4m loan fee with an option to buy him for around £39m next summer.

If United are successful in shifting their deadweight before September 1, there could be enough room to launch a push for Baleba this summer.

But with Brighton set to stand firm on their not-for-sale stance, it would at least help fund an alternative transfer while covering the offlay for Sesko, Mbeumo and Cunha.