Manchester United are preparing to make a formal approach for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Jack Hinshelwood in the coming days, according to reports from The Sun.
Manchester United Plot Swoop for Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood
The Red Devils have already bolstered their engine room this summer with the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, but the club’s hierarchy have not ruled out a third midfield addition.
Manager Michael Carrick appears keen on adding a young, Premier League-proven talent with high potential, and Hinshelwood fits that profile perfectly.
The 21-year-old has emerged as a key figure for the Seagulls over the past year, showcasing remarkable versatility.
While he initially broke through as a right-back, Hinshelwood has since thrived in a defensive midfield role.
Under manager Fabian Hurzeler, he even operated as an attacking midfielder towards the end of last season, finding the net against Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers in his final five league appearances.
United have held a longstanding interest in the English youngster and have already made initial enquiries about his availability.
However, they face stiff competition from Arsenal, who currently lead the race for his signature.
With less than three years remaining on his Brighton contract, a summer deal could potentially be struck for a package between £43 million and £51 million.
Despite this, a transfer appears far from straightforward. Brighton are notoriously difficult negotiators, and the South Coast club typically demand premium fees for their prized assets.
Given the inflated prices that dominate the current transfer window, the Seagulls could easily hold out for a figure closer to £65-70 million for their promising academy graduate.
For United, such a substantial outlay for a player who would likely serve as a squad player seems improbable.
The club recently withdrew from negotiations for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott for similar reasons, valuing the Cherries star at just £40 million due to his lack of Champions League and international experience.
