Carlos Baleba to Manchester United is as improbable a transfer this summer as it is eye-catching. The Red Devils have reportedly made initial contact with Brighton and Hove Albion, via intermediaries, to explore the conditions of a potential deal.
Brighton chief executive and deputy chair Paul Barber has publicly played down the reports, albeit while admitting the transfer window is unpredictable. But United have already sprung some surprises this summer, and they could be preparing one more before the deadline.
They first fended off Champions League interest to lure Wolves forward Matheus Cunha to Old Trafford by triggering his £62.5million release clause.
A month-long pursuit of Bryan Mbuemo followed, concluding with a deal that suited all parties - a £65m fixed fee paid to Brentford in four instalments plus £6m in add-ons.
United then truly flexed the fruits of INEOS’ ruthless cost-cutting process across the past year by beating Newcastle United in the race for Benjamin Sesko.
The M16 giants are in advanced talks with RB Leipzig over payment terms after submitting a bid worth £74m. Sesko has agreed a contract until 2030.
On top of cost cuts, United will save around £15m on Marcus Rashford’s salary this season as Barcelona cover the lot during his loan.
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They have also generated £16m from sell-on clauses after Anthony Elanga, Alvaro Carreras and Maxi Oyedele’s respective transfers.
Chelsea have contributed, too, by paying £5m to break their obligation to sign Jadon Sancho this summer after his loan.
Still, another big-money swoop for Baleba, if Sesko seals his move to raise the summer spending above £200m, seems unlikely.
That’s before the planned sales of Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia, anyway.
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Yet, while Brighton’s asking price could leave a transfer out of the equation this summer, United have three secret agents in their ranks.
Leny Yoro, Andre Onana and Mbeumo could combine to ensure Baleba ultimately lands at Old Trafford, even if it’s in a years’ time.
Yoro and Baleba shone together at Lille before the latter joined Brighton for £29m in 2023. The 19-year-old centre-back followed him to the Premier League a year later.
Meanwhile, Onana and Mbeumo are Baleba’s international teammates and will be gearing up to represent Cameroon together at this winter’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Onana reportedly played a role in Mbeumo’s decision to snub interest from Arsenal, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur and join him in Manchester.
The goalkeeper could work his magic again alongside his recruit to sell Ruben Amorim’s project to his top midfield target.
Baleba will not be short of suitors, though, and United can ill afford yet another disastrous season to stand a chance of his signature.
But then again, the power of friendship clearly can’t be underestimated…