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Manchester United can’t meet Carlos Baleba valuation, Nicolas Jackson waits on Newcastle interest, Marcus Rashford registration drama - Paper Round
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Updated 14/08/2025 at 10:04 GMT+1
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Manchester United are currently unable to meet Brighton & Hove Albion’s asking price for Carlos Baleba, while Nicolas Jackson is waiting for Newcastle United to make a move for him. Elsewhere, Arsenal would only sell Gabriel Martinelli if they received a huge offer from abroad, and Barcelona are currently facing an obstacle to register Marcus Rashford.
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Man Utd won’t pay up for Baleba
Manchester United are not currently prepared to meet Brighton & Hove Albion’s asking fee for Carlos Baleba.
The South Coast side want more than £100 million, and United do not have the spare cash as things stand.
The Telegraph writes: "Carlos Baleba is valued by his club at more than £100m with Manchester United currently unwilling to buy at that level.
"The two clubs have not spoken directly about the player at a level that would suggest a deal is imminent with Baleba, 21, currently priced above what United would be prepared to pay this summer.
"He is the midfielder that United’s Ineos hierarchy would wish to sign were they not operating within tight profit and sustainability lines already.
"Brighton have made no moves to sell the player, who was a key part of their Premier League team last season, but as a trading club they would have to listen to offers at the kind of level that would get close to the club record £115m fee Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo.
"Owner Tony Bloom would, as ever, have the final say on acceptable price."
Jackson waits for Newcastle interest
Nicolas Jackson could stay at Chelsea, but if he decides to leave, the club will not move to replace him with another signing, the Daily Mail believes.
The 24-year-old is waiting for Newcastle United to see if they make a move to bring him to St James’ Park.
The paper states: "Chelsea are unlikely to replace Nicolas Jackson if the 24-year-old striker is moved on this month as expected, with the Blues believing they already have ample in-house cover.
"Jackson’s exit is being worked on after Daily Mail Sport revealed last week how the No. 9 had told the club he wants to explore leaving.
"He was left out of Enzo Maresca’s squads for their friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan on Friday and Sunday respectively because of that.
"He trained individually at Cobham over that weekend, but one person who has been at the training ground since told us they did not see him working alongside the ‘bomb squad’ that includes Raheem Sterling, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Alfie Gilchrist, David Datro Fofana and others.
"Sources in Jackson’s camp have told us there is no concrete update as they are still considering their options, one of which includes Newcastle United, amid their Alexander Isak crisis."
Martinelli set for Arsenal stay
It would take a huge bid from a foreign club to tempt Arsenal into selling 24-year-old winger Gabriel Martinelli, according to The Sun.
The arrival of Noni Madueke has put pressure on his place in the squad, but Arsenal do not want to force him out.
The paper explains: "Gabriel Martinelli remains one of Mikel Arteta’s most trusted and relied-upon players.
"Since the Spaniard took over at Arsenal in December 2019, Martinelli has played 13,336 Prem minutes and started 152 games.
"SunSport understands that, barring a mouth-watering offer from abroad, it is incredibly unlikely that Arteta will sign off on a Martinelli departure, as the winger is still viewed as a vital cog to his attack and a key figure in the dressing room.
"But with the £42m summer arrival of versatile winger Noni Madueke, 23, from Chelsea, there is a feeling that this is a huge season for Martinelli."
Barcelona face more registration drama
Barcelona are once again facing a nervous wait to see if they can register their recently signed players ahead of the new season.
Marcus Rashford, Joan Garcia and others are still not able to play unless La Liga are convinced of the club’s finances.
The Athletic reports: "Barcelona’s board agreed to take emergency financial action at a meeting on Wednesday as the club continues to try to register their new signings in time to start their La Liga title defence on Saturday.
"With three days to go before [Barcelona’s] first match of the 2025/26 campaign, Hansi Flick’s major signings of the summer — including new goalkeeper Joan Garcia and Manchester United loanee striker Marcus Rashford — are still not eligible to play.
"Because Barca have been overspending on their salary limit — calculated by La Liga for each club according to their revenue — they have not been able to register new players.
"Now, in an attempt to ease the situation, Barca executives have prepared the action of putting their own personal wealth at risk as part of a bank guarantee worth €7 million (£6m, $8.2m). Club sources also said their expectation was still that all signings will be registered."
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