Man United are interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba in what would be a statement move.
George is a Senior Football Writer for the Manchester Evening News, mostly covering Manchester United. He previously worked for football.london before joining the MEN team in July 2021. As well as covering United, George is a Championship-enthusiast and co-hosts The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24), which you can find on all major podcast platforms.
Carlos Baleba celebrates after scoring for Brighton & Hove Albion away at Fulham last season.
Carlos Baleba is on Manchester United's wish list.(Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images.)
After finishing 15th in the Premier League last season, Manchester United have had no choice but to attack in this summer's transfer window.
A bottom half finish, a trophyless campaign and another season that featured more upheaval off the pitch meant United signed off for the summer with very little optimism for the 2025/26 campaign.
The 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in Bilbao ended United's hopes of qualifying for this season's Champions League, meaning they will be without European football for the first time since 2014/15 this term.
The biggest concern immediately raised on the back of United's failure to qualify for Europe's premier club competition was about this summer's window. With no European football on offer, it was feared United could find life difficult in the market.
Instead, with just under four weeks to go until the September 1 deadline, United are still in with a chance of having their strongest summer window in years - and much of it stems from rolling back the years and readopting a former blueprint.
Having finished last season with a negative goal difference of -10 in the Premier League, United have rightfully prioritised attacking signings in this summer's transfer window, so far bringing in Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.
The duo were among the Premier League's best players last season, scoring 35 league goals between them. United wasted no time in signing Cunha, triggering his £62.5million release clause on the opening day of the window, before setting their sights on Mbeumo and eventually getting him through the door last month.
Cunha, who is well-versed in a three-at-the-back system, is a tailor-made fit for the left-sided No.10 spot in Ruben Amorim's team, whereas Mbeumo offers a multifunctional option in the attacking department. Both players are goalscorers and were linked with moves to Premier League clubs that could have offered them Champions League football this coming season before putting pen to paper on long-term deals at Old Trafford.
Cunha, who finalised his move to United on June 12, became the first attacker United had signed from a Premier League counterpart on a permanent basis since Alexis Sanchez arrived from Arsenal in January 2018.
Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha pose with the Premier League Summer Series trophy.
Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have impressive records in the Premier League.
United were big spenders in the 2017/18 campaign, making four statement signings, of which three already played in the Premier League. Prior to signing Sanchez in the mid-season window, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic arrived from Everton and Chelsea respectively ahead of the start of the season.
Since signing the aforementioned trio, United have not signed three Premier League players in the same window. However, that could change before the end of this window amid their interest in Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Despite making attacking signings a priority this summer, United are desperate to strengthen their midfield before the bell sounds at the start of next month. They lack energy and aggression in the middle of the pitch, making the addition of a new midfielder vitally important.
Baleba, 21, joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and has gone from strength-to-strength ever since, becoming one of the most exciting youngsters in the Premier League. According to The Athletic, United have 'made contact' with Brighton via intermediaries.
Although the Cameroonian is only 21 and has just 61 Premier League appearances to his name, he has quickly proven he is a quality operator at this level. He was one of the best all-round midfielders in the division last season, demonstrating he can provide the traits United are desperately lacking in the engine room.
Baleba, who has previously addressed his hunger for winning silverware, is another example of Brighton's fabulous scouting system. The Seagulls are the masters of unearthing hidden gems, polishing them and selling them on for a handsome profit.
Carlos Baleba in action for Brighton & Hove Albion.
Carlos Baleba has a really exciting future ahead of himself.
Although no transfer offers the guarantee of success, there is less risk involved when signing players who are already proven in the league you need them to perform in. Cunha and Mbeumo are statement signings for United, and Baleba would be the same if he were to end up at Old Trafford.
After taking one too many gambles on overseas imports in recent years, it has been refreshing to see United roll back the years this summer. Mbeumo and Cunha are excellent additions and have the necessary qualities to thrive in M16, meaning Baleba could potentially follow suit.
This particular approach rarely let Ferguson down.