Transfer target: Manchester United are known admirers of Carlos Baleba
Manchester United have been handed a considerable boost in their pursuit of Carlos Baleba, with Brighton set to soften their stance on their nine-figure asking price.
The Cameroon midfielder was heavily linked with a move to United last summer, but the Red Devils were put off by Brighton’s quoted fee of over £100million.
But United are expected to renew their interest this summer, with Brighton reportedly ready to lower that asking price.
Baleba’s form in this campaign has not quite matched that of his superb 2024-25 season. Per a report in The Sun, that has made Brighton more willing to part ways with the 22-year-old.
Fabian Hurzeler has hooked the midfielder at half-time of four Brighton matches this season, and he has suffered the same fate three times on international duty.
United reportedly remain interested in the player, and the admiration is mutual. They are expected to go back in for him this summer, with a deal seemingly more feasible this year than last.
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They will need to sign at least one midfielder this summer, with Casemiro’s impending departure set to leave a notable gap in the squad.
Brighton are thought to have lined up a replacement for Baleba, too, in Nordsjaelland and Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi.
Brighton still stand to bring in a considerable profit should they sell Baleba, who they signed from Lille in 2023 for just £23.2m.
Baleba remains a regular under Hurzeler in spite of his slight dip in form. He has made 29 appearances for the Seagulls this season, a number which would likely be slightly higher had he not contested AFCON in December.
He appeared in all five of Cameroon’s matches at the tournament, where the Indomitable Lions were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Morocco.
Baleba will not have to contend with the distraction of the World Cup this summer, either. Cameroon have failed to qualify for the tournament, giving the player some free time to settle his club future.