Football transfer experts Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester United are continuing talks with the representatives of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, with head coach Ruben Amorim understood to be a huge admirer of the player.
Baleba, 21, has emerged as United’s top midfield target following the £74m signing of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. INEOS are now prioritising reinforcements in the middle of the park, and the Cameroonian is high on their wishlist.
Brighton, however, are reluctant to sell and have reportedly placed a £104m valuation on the former LOSC Lille star, who has three years remaining on his contract. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said:
“Man United still maintain contacts with the agents of Carlos Baleba… but the deal is really complicated and there is no concrete progress. Brighton have no intention to sell, so they would require a really big fee.”
United are believed to be adopting a patient approach, similar to the one that helped them beat Newcastle United to Sesko’s signature earlier this summer.
The club’s ongoing dialogue with Baleba’s camp suggests they have the player’s interest, but they are prepared to wait for an opening in negotiations.
Baleba joined Brighton in 2023 for £23.2m as a replacement for Moisés Caicedo, who moved to Chelsea for a British record £116m. Since then, the midfielder has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most promising young talents.
United’s heavy spending this summer — also including Bryan Mbeumo (£71m) and Matheus Cunha (£62.4m) — means a deal for Baleba may depend on player sales. Jadon Sancho is attracting interest from Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, while Antony has been the subject of two bids from Benfica, and Alejandro Garnacho is keen on joining Chelsea with no official bid yet from the London club.
With the transfer window closing on September 1, United could wait until late in the summer to make their move. As Romano put it:
“If a door opens for Man United, Baleba is considered the perfect midfielder — the player loved by coach Ruben Amorim.”