As INEOS targets defensive reinforcements, Brighton holds firm on their versatile star, leaving the Red Devils to weigh a late bid against a steep non-sale stance.
Manchester United have had a busy transfer window as they look to bolster squad depth after qualifying for the Champions League.
The Reds played the fewest games of any Premier League team, being knocked out of both the League and FA Cup in their first game and failing to qualify for a European competition after finishing 15th in the league.
Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos were brought in early doors to replace the out-of-contract Casemiro, and Carlos Baleba recently completed a midfield rebuild.
Despite the £150 million INEOS has already spent this summer, the club still desperately needs to add more squad depth. Fans are crying out for a new fullback to help with the congested schedule, and one Brighton man is reportedly being pursued by the Reds.
Man Utd ready to launch late Kadioğlu bid
The search for a new left back has been an extensive one. Priority target Lewis Hall has a price tag set at £60 million, which is seen as too dear for United, and other options aren't favoured.
But United may have found their answer in Brighton's Ferdi Kadioğlu. The 26-year-old has been linked with many top-level clubs after showing his excellence at Brighton and may look to take the next step in his career.
The Turkish fullback arrived at Brighton from Fenerbahçe in 2024 and has since played 52 games for the Seagulls, becoming a mainstay in Fabian Hürzeler's starting eleven when fit.
According to Turkish Football, the Brighton manager has praised Kadioğlu in recent press conferences, emphasised his importance to the Brighton squad, and said he is 'relaxed' about Kadioğlu's transfer situation.
"We all know what we have with Ferdi, and Ferdi knows what he has with Brighton. Because of this, I am quite calm.“
United contacted Brighton to ask whether the fullback was available this summer, but Brighton have taken a firm no-sale stance, as the board and manager feel Kadioğlu is too important to the squad to leave.
The left back dilemma and how to fix it
United have had an issue with left back depth since Alex Telles left United in 2022, and have failed to sign a long-term competitor to Luke Shaw
Shaw has been the Reds' main left back since 2014, but a leg break that season and injury inconsistencies have meant his commitment to the starting eleven cannot be guaranteed.
Patrick Dorgu was brought in during Rúben Amorim's tenure and was meant to become the Reds' main wingback, but Michael Carrick has transformed Dorgu into an elite winger and has been reluctant to play him as part of his back four.
Newcastle's Hall would be the dream signing: at 21, he has room to develop and already has valuable Premier League experience, but the £60 million price tag is causing United to stall in their pursuit.
Carrick has said he wants to sign a left back who can adapt and play either as part of the centre-back duo or push higher into midfield. Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly is the perfect fit to do so.
Arsenal offered the 19-year-old, who is pushing for a place in Mikel Arteta's title-winning starting eleven and had previously been offered to United this window, but the Reds opted not to make a bid.
Lewis-Skelly would be the perfect versatile option for Carrick to have at his disposal; his defensive awareness is supreme, and he offers another option when in the attacking third, but the Arsenal-United rivalry may prevent a potential transfer.
