Carlos Baleba discusses Manchester United move, Crystal Palace set to appoint Pierre Sage after Oliver Glasner departure - Paper Round
By Leon Imber
Updated 10/06/2026 at 08:42 GMT+1
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In the latest edition of Paper Round, Carlos Baleba drops a Manchester United hint, Crystal Palace agree terms for Pierre Sage, and Arsenal look to appoint former Olympian Arnaldo Abrantes.
Tuchel: England 'can't be' favourites at World Cup
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Baleba talks Man Utd move with squad stars
Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba has fuelled speculation over a summer move to Manchester United after discussing the transfer directly with several of the club’s players.
The 22-year-old target has long-standing connections within the Old Trafford dressing room, including former Lille teammate Leny Yoro and international companion Andre Onana.
The Sun reports: ”Carlos Baleba has discussed the possibility of joining Manchester United with some of the club’s players.
”Brighton midfielder Baleba, who has been tracked by United for over a year, spoke to Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha after their 3-0 victory at the Amex on the final day of the season.
”Baleba is also a former team-mate of United defender Leny Yoro from the pair’s time at Lille. He is close with fellow Cameroonian Bryan Mbeumo while compatriot Andre Onana encouraged Baleba to pursue a move to United last year before his loan switch to Trabzonspor.
”Onana and Mbeumo are both scheduled to report for pre-season training at United next month as Cameroon failed to qualify for the World Cup.”
Palace closing in on Pierre Sage appointment
Crystal Palace are on the verge of naming Lens head coach Pierre Sage as their new manager to succeed the departing Oliver Glasner.
The Eagles have moved efficiently to wrap up a compensation package with the Ligue 1 outfit, filtering out rival names like Frank Lampard to lock down the French tactician.
The Mirror explains: ”Crystal Palace are set to appoint Lens boss Pierre Sage as Oliver Glasner’s replacement. The Austrian departed Selhurst Park this summer at the end of his contract, having led the club to the Conference League title in his last game in charge.
”A number of names were linked with the post including Coventry’s Frank Lampard and new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola.
”Another option was Lens boss Sage and it appears that a deal between the Frenchman and Palace is close.
”According to reports, a compensation package between the Eagles and Lens is close to being agreed. It is expected that the Ligue 1 side will bank around €5 million (£4.3m) for his services, while Sage will put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Selhurst Park.”
Former Olympian Abrantes in frame for Arsenal role
Arsenal are planning to appoint former Olympic sprinter Arnaldo Abrantes as their new head first-team doctor following the sudden departure of Zafar Iqbal.
The 39-year-old medical specialist recently parted ways with Aston Villa and brings vast Premier League conditioning experience to north London.
The Telegraph states: ”The former Olympic sprinter Arnaldo Abrantes is the favourite to become Arsenal’s new first-team doctor after the surprise sacking of Zafar Iqbal.
"Abrantes is understood to have left his most recent posting as the head of medical services at Aston Villa at the end of the season - his second such role in the Premier League after Nottingham Forest.
”Abrantes, 39, was a national Portuguese champion in the 100 metres and 200 metres and ran for his country in the 200m heats of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and then again at London in 2012.
”He served as Villa’s head of medical for the last two seasons and before that worked for three seasons as the head of medical and performance at Forest. During the 2000s, he combined medical studies in Lisbon with his athletics career.”
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