Caleb Yirenkyi: How the Lammens transfer trick could help Man United land this hugely talented Ghanaian star

Manchester United’s decisive move for Senne Lammens last summer is already shaping the club’s next transfer strategy. By walking away from a protracted pursuit of Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez and securing the 23-year-old Belgian from Royal Antwerp instead, United landed a goalkeeper who has conceded defeat only twice in 20 appearances and, in the eyes of Old Trafford decision-makers, proved that the bolder alternative can outperform the obvious name.

Brighton and Hove Albion now hope United will repeat that pattern in midfield. The Seagulls are ready to sell Carlos Baleba, the 21-year-old Cameroonian once touted at £100 million, after a run of erratic displays that peaked with a 20-minute red-card scare at Villa Park. Brighton’s asking price remains sky-high, but their recruitment team has already identified the player they believe can eclipse Baleba: Caleb Yirenkyi.

Yirenkyi, a 20-year-old Ghanaian international at FC Nordsjælland, is emerging as one of Europe’s most complete young midfielders. Described by scouts as an “all-action engine,” he combines relentless ball-winning with instant transitions, carrying possession from back to front before distributing with a range that has drawn comparisons to top-tier Premier League orchestrators. Brighton see him as a direct upgrade on Baleba and have begun laying the groundwork for a summer swoop.

The twist is that United have been tracking Yirenkyi for months and retain a strong interest. Brighton’s plan is straightforward: sell Baleba to United at a premium, then reinvest in Yirenkyi at a fraction of the fee. It is the same manoeuvre Villa attempted last summer when they hoped to pocket United’s money for Martinez and slot Lammens into their own goal. United foiled that plot by choosing Lammens over Martinez; INEOS now has the chance to turn the tables again by bypassing Baleba and moving straight for Brighton’s real target.

With the Belgian goalkeeper’s impact still fresh — his reflexes and command have stabilised a back line that had wobbled for years — the hierarchy at Old Trafford is increasingly convinced that the less obvious signing can deliver the greater upside. If they follow the “Lammens transfer trick” once more, Caleb Yirenkyi could be the next name on the United teamsheet and another statement of intent from a club determined to get major decisions right.