Manchester United are already devising plans to make further adjustments to their squad when the transfer window reopens for business and influential figures at Old Trafford have continued keeping tabs on Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba as a potential recruit, according to GIVEMESPORT senior reporter Fabrizio Romano.
The Red Devils were not afraid to splash the cash as head coach Ruben Amorim made preparations for his first full season at the helm, with Benjamin Sesko proving to be the most expensive acquisition thanks to the striker sealing a switch worth up to £73.7million from RB Leipzig, but there remains a desire to improve the options in central midfield.
Red Devils Continue Keeping Tabs on Baleba
Carlos Baleba during a Brighton & Hove Albion pre-match warm-up
Manchester United are set to make Baleba a top target for 2026, according to Romano, as Amorim has continuously been making it clear to key personnel behind the scenes that his side are lacking intensity in the middle of the park. Speaking on the Here We Go Podcast, the respected Italian journalist said:
"Manchester United will continue with the opportunity to go for Carlos Baleba from Brighton. It was a completely closed door this summer. Let's see what's going to happen in the future.
"I think Manchester United will try again for Baleba in 2026. Intensity in midfield is what Ruben Amorim keeps repeating in every meeting they have at Manchester United. I think they will go for that kind of player, with Baleba as a top target in 2026."
Baleba has already shown a willingness to join Manchester United as he agreed personal terms in the summer, before it became clear that Brighton were not prepared to sanction his departure, and his admirers are seriously considering testing their Premier League counterparts' resolve with a bid further down the line.
The Cameroon international had a £115million price tag leading up to last week's transfer deadline, highlighting his current employers' determination to keep him at the Amex Stadium, and the Red Devils were forced to turn their attention elsewhere due to not having the budget to stretch that far.
Romano is expecting Manchester United to reignite their pursuit of Baleba, who has been described as 'incredible', and have him as their leading option to lure to Old Trafford when they have another opportunity to dip into the market for reinforcements before the start of next season.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 09/09/2025
Sign up to The GIVEMESPORT Report to get exclusive daily updates from Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs and Tom Bogert sent straight to your inbox