Manchester United Close in on Brighton’s Ferdi Kadioglu

Manchester United are closing in on Brighton’s player of the year, Ferdi Kadioglu, in a £40m move that could reshape their left flank – and Brighton’s latest business hints the story has legs.

The Seagulls are used to losing stars. They live in that space between elite recruitment and ruthless sales. Carlos Baleba is already primed to join United for £65m plus £5m in add-ons. Right winger Yankuba Minteh could be next, with Liverpool weighing up a third offer believed to be in the £65m-£70m range.

Yet neither Baleba nor Minteh took home Brighton’s top individual honour last season. That belonged to Kadioglu, the 26-year-old Turkish international who quietly became one of the Premier League’s most reliable left-backs.

Now, reports from Turkey insist he is the man United have chosen.

United’s left-back hunt takes a twist

On X, Turkish outlet AS Marca claimed United are “set to transfer” Kadioglu from Brighton for £40m, with 10% of the fee – around €4.7m – due to former club Fenerbahçe.

The move would fit a clear Old Trafford brief. United want a left-back who can push Luke Shaw immediately and, in time, replace him. That need has been obvious all summer.

Lewis Hall has been the preferred target. But Newcastle, having already cashed in on Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, are refusing to entertain another major sale. Head coach Matthias Jaissle underlined that stance last weekend, insisting there is “no chance” Hall leaves.

So United have worked through alternatives. Calls have gone in to Jorge Mendes over Alejandro Balde, with ESPN reporting United would favour a loan with an option to buy. Balde, for his part, would rather stay at Barcelona, but he is open to a move if the club decide to sell. A face-to-face meeting with Hansi Flick is expected to be decisive for his future.

While those talks rumble on, Kadioglu’s name has surged to the front of the queue.

Brighton’s next move raises eyebrows

The Turkish reports have not yet been backed up by major English outlets or heavyweight transfer reporters. Even so, Brighton’s behaviour is starting to tell its own story.

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri revealed on X that Brighton & Hove Albion and Young Boys have agreed a €12m deal for left-back Jaouen Hadjam. The Swiss club will receive add-ons, and Hadjam is expected to sign with the Seagulls until June 2031. He is due to fly to England within 24 hours to complete the move.

A long-term contract for a new left-back. A player-of-the-year in the same position heavily linked with a £40m exit. For a club as calculated as Brighton, that rarely happens by accident.

United’s need is urgent, Brighton’s replacement is lined up, and Kadioglu sits right in the middle. If the numbers are right and the dominoes fall as expected, the next left-back to walk out at Old Trafford may not be Lewis Hall or Alejandro Balde at all – but the one Brighton fans just voted their best player.