Man Utd quoted nearly £60MILLION less to sign Carlos Baleba alternative in January

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Manchester United are reportedly eyeing Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes as a potential January signing, in a deal that would be worth £60million less than Carlos Baleba. The Red Devils have been mooted with a possible move for the Brighton & Hove Albion star but reports suggest that they would want around £104million (€120m) for the Cameroon international.

According to media outlet Record in Portugal, Gomes would be open to a move to Old Trafford and leave the Premier League strugglers in the process. Wolves ' precarious position in England's top-flight has been suggested as a potential bargaining tool for the former Flamengo midfielder as Daily Mail reports that United were priced out of moves for Baleba and Conor Gallagher during the summer transfer window.

Ruben Amorim enjoyed a summer splurge as he added much-needed reinforcements into his side, in the form of Senne Lammens, Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha from Wolves.

Their spending tipped £230million after the additions but so far, they have reaped the rewards after looking for a response following of their worst top-flight performances in decades. United finished 14th last term and missed out on European qualification, via the trap door, after losing in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

After adding quality in attack and between the sticks, it has been widely dubbed that the midfield will be their next focus as Casemiro reaches the twilight of his football career, turning 34 in February.

The Mail also adds that England starlets Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson are on the radar with both midfielders enjoying superb campaigns for Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest , respectively.

Their performances in the Premier League has led to the pair being in high demand and the calls for the duo to be on the plane for this summer's World Cup will likely inflate their lofty price-tags.

ESPN has previously reported that both Manchester clubs are admirers of Baleba. It was said that Pep Guardiola is a long-time admirer of the midfielder with both clubs set to battle it out for his signature.

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In the summer, it was suggested that Brighton would demand £104million for his services but after staying put at the AMEX Stadium, it remains to be seen what the figures will be with the midfielder in high-demand.

Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler has admitted this season that his form has been impacted by a summer of transfer speculation.

He said last month: "I think it's normal for a young player when the media creates the noise around him,' he said. 'It's not easy for this player to handle it.

"Therefore, we need to give him the time and support so he comes back to his best performance.

"But he's a young player and I think that's something we have to accept, that young players don't always have the face we want to see."