Although Manchester United are targeting Carlos Baleba, the actions of several Ballon d'Or winners suggest they may not actually need the Brighton midfielder
Carlos Baleba looks on
Carlos Baleba has been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer
(Image: Getty Images)
While Manchester United have considered a blockbuster bid for Carlos Baleba, some onlookers argue they already have an even more exceptional midfielder in their squad.
And not just any onlookers, but 10 different Ballon d'Or winners. Earlier this week, it emerged that the Red Devils had Brighton star Baleba in their crosshairs, with manager Ruben Amorim eager to add a midfield enforcer to shield the back-line.
However, the Seagulls have no intention of selling the 21-year-old, who seamlessly stepped into Moises Caicedo's sizeable shoes following the Ecuadorian's mega-money move to Chelsea in 2023.
Internally, United acknowledge that signing Baleba this summer will be difficult, with Brighton expected to demand around £100million for the Cameroon international. Such a fee would push United's summer spending close to - and possibly beyond - the £300m mark, once Benjamin Sesko's move to Old Trafford is completed.
Given the staggering price tag - as well as United's fragile financial position - many may argue the deal isn't worth it, especially since the club already have a promising young midfielder in their ranks: Kobbie Mainoo.
The 20-year-old academy graduate is widely regarded as one of Europe's brightest talents, highlighted by his third-place finish in last year's Kopa Trophy, awarded to the world's best player under the age of 21, finishing behind only Arda Guler and winner Lamine Yamal.
The award, launched in 2018, is voted on by a panel of former Ballon d'Or winners - 10 of whom included Mainoo in their top three. The illustrious list includes former England and United striker Michael Owen, Marco van Basten, Kaka, Andriy Shevchenko, Ruud Gullit, Pavel Nedved, Matthias Sammer, Jean-Pierre Papin, Igor Belanov and Gianni Rivera.
Carlos Baleba and Kobbie Mainoo compete for the ball
Carlos Baleba and Kobbie Mainoo could line up alongside each other this season
Mainoo missed out on a nomination for this year's award after an inconsistent, injury-plagued season. However, hope remains high within United circles that he can regain the form and spark that marked him as the latest standout talent to emerge from the club's renowned academy.
His contract at Old Trafford runs until 2027, and although talks to extend the deal remain open, negotiations have been stalled since last year. United have an option to extend his deal by a further 12 months, but that hasn't stopped Mainoo from being linked with moves elsewhere in recent months.
If uncertainty over Mainoo's future persists, United's interest in Baleba could intensify. However, securing one isn't necessarily contingent on pinning down the other. While both are centre midfielders, Mainoo and Baleba offer different qualities: Baleba is more of a traditional ball-winning No. 6, whereas Mainoo contributes significantly to ball progression and attacking play.
Kobbie Mainoo
Mainoo is looking to discover the spark that saw him finish third in the 2024 Kopa Trophy
If anything, the pair could forge a mouthwatering partnership, blending energy and tenacity off the ball with fluid, fast-paced interplay on it - precisely the dynamic Amorim aims to instil in his midfield.
For now, however, Brighton hold a strong negotiating position regarding Baleba. The player has three years left on his contract, and the Seagulls have proven themselves tough negotiators in recent seasons - extracting large fees for the likes of Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Joao Pedro and Ben White.
Time will tell whether United test Brighton's resolve with a formal bid. But even if they do, landing Baleba is bound to be a challenging and hard-fought process.