- Manchester United edge closer to Carlos Baleba
- How will he fare next to Mainoo
- Baleba’s poor season
Fabrizio Romano has given the biggest sign that Manchester United have a golden opportunity to sign Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba this summer. The Reds made an approach for him last summer but were told he’d cost over £100m.
The Cameroonian remains an option, however, provided Brighton softens their current valuation. He enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2024/25, with his midfield displays attracting interest from clubs across Europe.
United have tracked Baleba for some time. Last summer, reports indicated Brighton rejected an offer that included cash plus Toby Collyer. The Seagulls on their £115 million evaluation, the same amount they received for Ecuadorian Moises Caicedo from Chelsea in 2023.
At the time, the south coast side reportedly expected serious approaches to arrive in 2026 rather than 2025, with multiple clubs monitoring Baleba but hesitant to commit after just two Premier League seasons.
Now, however, Brighton may well regret that decision, as United’s valuation of the midfielder has dropped following a disappointing campaign.
Romano’s Positive Baleba Update
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Baleba still wants to join Manchester United, with personal terms agreed over a year ago when the club first pushed to bring him to Old Trafford.
The decision now rests firmly in United’s hands. The Cameroonian will command a significant fee, despite his poor season thus far, and the signing could yet prove too great a risk for Manchester United.
Baleba pushed for a move last year, but Brighton & Hove Albion blocked it. However, they cannot prevent the midfielder from leaving indefinitely, and the Seagulls will now be willing to listen to offers for him.
That said, Brighton’s valuation is likely to differ sharply from United’s. As mentioned, they refused to entertain anything below £115m last summer. United were prepared to go as high as £75m, but that figure has now dropped closer to £50m.
It is highly unlikely that Brighton would slash their valuation so drastically—and then some—to accept a modest £50m fee. With notoriously tough negotiator Tony Bloom leading discussions, United may have to raise their offer if they want to secure Baleba’s signature.
Is Baleba a viable option?
Speaking on the Talk of the Devils podcast, The Athletic journalist Laurie Whitwell gave more insight into the Baleba saga.
“Baleba, we’ve been here before with United. It didn’t get that close because Brighton were never willing to sell at a price United would meet. He’s had a difficult season, so his name has faded a bit, but he’s still a genuine possibility. His name has kind of gone away from the discussion, but he is someone who is still a genuine possibility.”
There are genuine concerns within the Manchester United hierarchy regarding Baleba. The 22-year-old has shown flashes of his quality throughout the season, but he has not done enough to replicate the level he reached in the previous campaign.
In his most recent outing against Chelsea, Baleba once again underlined his potential. In a commanding 3-0 dismantling of the London side, he excelled, dictating play against a Chelsea midfield featuring Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Romeo Lavia.
But one strong performance does not erase a season of underwhelming displays. Baleba has allowed the links to United to affect his focus, admitting himself that it placed a “lot of pressure” on his shoulders.
If he feels that weight during transfer speculation, questions will naturally follow over how he would cope under the lights at Old Trafford?
