By: Eugene Upah (South South Digest)
Carlos Baleba has emerged as Manchester United’s priority midfield target for 2026, with Brighton & Hove Albion now open to letting the Cameroonian leave amid United’s planned squad rebuild.
United have tracked the 22-year-old for several months and nearly moved for him in 2025, but Brighton’s steep £100m-plus valuation blocked a deal. The situation has since shifted: United value Baleba at around £50m and believe his inconsistent form under Fabian Hurzeler this season creates an opening.
The midfielder remains under contract until 2028, with Brighton holding an option for a further year. Despite talkSPORT reports suggesting the Seagulls want “significantly higher than £50m” and a “massive profit” on the £23m they paid Lille in 2023, deputy chairman Paul Barber said in January there were “no plans or desire to sell Carlos in this window or any future window”. However, sources now indicate Brighton could be open to business next summer when the market for central midfielders is expected to be active.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has identified midfield as United’s priority in the next two windows. Club data analysts rate Baleba as a “good fit” for his ground coverage, possession-winning and passing. His physical power, line-breaking ability, and work rate are seen as essential to the Red Devils’ rebuild. United are planning two midfield signings to complement Kobbie Mainoo, who is nearing a contract extension.
Fabrizio Romano reports that a “verbal agreement” between Baleba and United from 2025 remains valid for 2026, with the player “still very keen” on Old Trafford. Romano added: “Man Utd see Baleba as a priority target…Baleba wants to go to Man Utd”.
Baleba, born January 3, 2004 in Douala, Cameroon, has made 27 Premier League appearances this season with no goal involvement. He has been substituted 15 times, including four half-time exits, but played the full 90 minutes in Brighton’s 3-0 win over Chelsea in March. Hurzeler has admitted transfer speculation affected the youngster’s focus, saying “young athletes are not machines”.
With Champions League qualification now within reach after a crucial 3-1 win over Aston Villa cemented third place, United executives Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox, and Christopher Vivell are finalising a shortlist that also includes Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Wolves’ Joao Gomes. To fund moves, United are set to offload Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro, with the latter expected to join MLS.
Interim boss Michael Carrick has “a serious chance” of landing the permanent job after guiding United to third. A £100m-plus deal for Baleba would smash United’s transfer record, set by Paul Pogba’s £89.3m move in 2016.
