- Manchester United still interested in Carlos Baleba
- Chelsea now interested in Cameroonian
- Saga could prolong in a bidding war
One year later, Manchester United will be back in the market for Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer.
The ‘United tax’ will apply to the valuation of any and every midfielder that is on United’s shortlist. Knowledge of Casemiro‘s exit at the end of his contract is big news for any clubs owning INEOS’ midfield prototypes.
The 2025/26 Premier League season enters its final stretch with a handful of games to go. The race for the 22-year-old has also reached a vulnerable point. This is despite the Seagulls being in with a chance to qualify for Europe next season in sixth. While the Red Devils have long been the frontrunners, a new but familiar challenger has now emerged for the signing.
Chelsea Register Interest in Midfield Target
According to journalist Nicolo Schira, Chelsea has entered the running for the Brighton midfielder. There are serious doubts over Enzo Fernandez’s future at Stamford Bridge, with Manchester City emerging as a possible surprise destination.
A move for Baleba would unite him with Moises Caicedo, who the Cameroonian replaced when Caicedo was sold to Chelsea for a base fee of £100m in 2023.
The Italian journalist states that Baleba remains a primary target for Manchester United. The Red Devils’ interest is long-standing, and in an earlier tweet from last summer, Schira noted that United had already agreed on personal terms with the player. It was ultimately Brighton’s valuation of £100m+ that closed the door on a potential move. However, the door has now opened for a sale.
Despite an inconsistent season, Baleba’s recent masterclass in a 3-0 win over Chelsea on April 21st served as a reminder of his box-to-box talents. The Cameroonian has played in 31 matches, playing 90 minutes in just four games in all competitions.
Familiar Hunting Ground Raises Alarm Bells for Reds
Chelsea are all too familiar with the Amex Stadium, having famously raided Brighton for Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Joao Pedro, and even manager Graham Potter in recent seasons. This recruitment strategy has been hit-and-miss over time. It has proven costly for BlueCo as Brighton consistently cut ties with these individuals at the opportune moment to maximise profits.
This history raises alarm bells for Manchester United. The last thing they want is a bidding war for a player they already feel is overvalued. Reports suggest that Brighton dismissed a potential £50 million fee, viewing it as significantly below their valuation. However, INEOS believes this figure accurately reflects the player’s worth, particularly given his underwhelming 2025/26 campaign.
Since Baleba is not United’s primary target, it would be prudent for the club to move on if the finances do not align. For United, the danger of overpaying does a disservice to other areas of the pitch. With a fullback, left winger and a secondary striker needed, spending upwards of £80 million on a ‘secondary’ midfield option would simply allocate too many resources to a single position.
