Manchester United line up Carlos Baleba alternative, Roma launch Jadon Sancho bid - Paper Round
Published 14/08/2025 at 23:08 GMT+1
Manchester United have been told to cough up over £100 million to sign Carlos Baleba. Should this prove excessive, The Red Devils have a Plan B, who will come at a much cheaper price. Elsewhere in Friday's Paper Round, Roma have launched a bid for Jadon Sancho, Bayern Munich could turn to Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku, and Nottingham Forest are on the brink of a new signing.
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Manchester United have a contingency plan in place if they fail to sign Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba.
According to The Sun, they have their sights set on Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand, who could cost £50 million.
That is less half the price The Seagulls are said to be demanding to sell Baleba.
The outlet states: "Manchester United will turn their attention to Sporting captain Morten Hjulmand if they miss out on Carlos Baleba.
"Hjulmand, 26, who was one of Ruben Amorim’s favourites during his time in Lisbon, would cost less than half the price of Brighton star Baleba.
"United are preparing a £50 million move for Hjulmand, who has starred as Sporting’s No. 6 since signing for £15million from Lecce in 2023.
"Though his release clause is set at £68m, the Portuguese giants may be willing to sell the Dane for around £10m less if the necessary add-ons were met.
"Baleba, 21, remains United’s first choice but Amex chiefs have slapped a £120 million price tag on the Cameroonian’s head.
"Amorim sees Hjulmand, who is far more familiar with the manager’s rigid style of play, as the perfect cheaper option."
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Roma launch bid for Sancho
Roma have submitted an offer of £20m to land Jadon Sancho from Manchester United, reports the Mirror.
Sancho spent last season on loan at Chelsea, but The Blues opted not to make the move a permanent one, paying United a £5m fee to send him back.
Juventus had been linked with a move for the forward, but it seems Roma are now leading the race to sign him.
The article reads: "Manchester United may have finally found a route out of Old Trafford for Jadon Sancho but it will come at significant cost.
"Serie A giants Roma have launched a £20 million bid for the England international - a figure more than £50m short of what they paid for the winger in 2021."
The report adds: "Roma could also be interested in a loan deal, per BBC. That would contain clauses to be triggered at the end of the season but is complicated by Sancho's contract situation."
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Bayern could turn to Nkunku
Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku is being monitored by Bayern Munich.
The Times claims the Bundesliga champions could turn to the former RB Leipzig striker once the sale of Kingsley Coman is completed.
Nkunku’s future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain following the arrival of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
"Bayern Munich are considering a move for Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku once the sale of Kingsley Coman to Al Nassr is completed," reads the article.
"A move to Bayern would appeal to France international Nkunku, who has attracted interest from elsewhere in Europe. The 27-year-old is not interested in a return to his former club RB Leipzig, though, who did not qualify for the Champions League this season. Chelsea, for now, will only consider a permanent sale.
"Bayern, who are coached by Vincent Kompany, have already signed Luis Diaz from Liverpool this summer for £65.5 million, but they want to strengthen their frontline further and intend to find a replacement for Coman.
"The German champions have also lost winger Leroy Sane, who joined Galatasaray earlier this summer, as well as Jamal Musiala, who fractured his fibula at the Club World Cup and will be sidelined for at least four months. They are considering multiple forward options as well as Nkunku, with a strong interest in Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade."
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Forest beat Inter to Hutchinson
The Sun claims Nottingham Forest will beat Everton and Internazionale to the signature of Omari Hutchinson.
Forest will play in the UEFA Europa League this season after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld UEFA's decision to remove Crystal Palace from the competition.
And there appears to be further good news coming their way with the signing of Hutchinson in a £37m deal, and potentially James McAtee from Manchester City.
"Nottingham Forest are on the verge of sealing a £37m deal for Ipswich star Omari Hutchinson," reads the article.
"Forest have been battling with Brentford for the England Under-21 international, with Everton and Inter Milan also interested.
"But Nuno Espirito Santo's side have won the race for Hutchinson.
"The Hutchinson deal is also good news for Chelsea.
"The Blues inserted a clause when they sold Hutchinson to Ipswich last year for an initial £20m fee that entitled them to 25% of any profit on a future sale."
The report adds: "Forest's business doesn't stop there as they have also reportedly agreed a deal for James McAtee, 22.
"The Tricky Trees will pay Man City up to £30m for the England U21 star, according to Sky Sports."
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