Brighton demand €120 million for Carlos Baleba as Manchester United weigh their midfield options
Spanish source Fichajes has claimed that Brighton won’t be making any sort of concessions while selling Carlos Baleba, and Manchester United will have to pay the €120 million if they intend to sign the 21-year-old defensive midfielder. This is a huge amount of money for any club, but the same report reveals that Ruben Amorim’s side are ready to pay that amount. The club feels that Baleba could bring quality and balance to the team.
United showed interest in Baleba in the last summer transfer window, but Brighton’s high demands blocked the deal. Now that the team is backing Ruben Amorim’s new ideas, the club must improve the midfield. It is also worth noting that another report says Adam Wharton leans towards Liverpool, while Real Madrid has joined the race, leaving Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim searching for answers. In these circumstances, Baleba’s name moves higher in the club’s priorities, because Amorim knows that without addressing United’s shortcomings, the team cannot perform convincingly on the big stage.
Carlos Baleba and United’s midfield question:
Baleba possesses an excellent work ethic, aggression, and a standout ability to win defensive duels. The Cameroon midfielder is also effective in ball recovery and has shown composure even under pressure. The 21-year-old also has an excellent first touch and is adept at carrying the ball forward efficiently from midfield. However, Baleba’s young age and limited experience make him vulnerable, especially in terms of concentration.
Brighton demand €120 million for Carlos Baleba as Manchester United weigh their midfield options .
Manchester United have strong interest in Carlos Baleba
United have had problems and weaknesses in the midfield. The team leaves big gaps between defence and attack on many instances, and the opposition builds pressure easily. United have been yearning for a quality defensive midfielder, as Casemiro is ageing, and Amorim does not trust Kobbie Mainoo as a defensive midfielder. A quality player of that profile will allow Bruno Fernandes more freedom, which he is not getting in the team currently.
Brighton’s past stance shows they will expect that fee for Baleba, similar to Moises Caicedo. The question is whether United can pay such a large sum, especially with the Profit and Sustainability Rules in play. The club has already spent heavily, and big deals may force them to sell more players. Meanwhile, another report says Manchester United is weighing the futures of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, as Ruben Amorim plans major defensive and midfield changes for 2026. In such an environment, investing heavily in Baleba could be a risky but far-sighted decision, one that some fans will support and others will question.