Carlos Baleba is valued at £104million and Manchester United will be disappointed to learn they could have snapped the Brighton star up for much less than this two years ago
Carlos Baleba of Brighton & Hove Albion looks on during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Leicester City FC at Amex Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Brighton, England.
Carlos Baleba is a serious target for Manchester United this summer
(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Carlos Baleba is top of Ruben Amorim's transfer wishlist, but Manchester United could have saved themselves a fortune if they'd signed the now £104million-rated midfielder in 2023.
The Brighton star has been attracting interest throughout the summer window, and Amorim's team is currently assessing Baleba's willingness to join United and the salary price point required to tempt him into a switch. The Seagulls, though, have no current plans to sell the 21-year-old.
A number of current United stars have contacted Baleba about a move to Old Trafford as part of a charm offensive to convince him to head to the north west. It comes as United learn they could have snapped up the young midfielder for a staggering £81m less than they'll have to pay now if they'd landed him two years ago.
At the time of Baleba's transfer to Brighton in 2023, the then-19-year-old was starring for Lille and shining as a defensive midfielder against the likes of Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain. Many clubs had been linked to the young Cameroonian, but the Seagulls came out on top, snapping him up for £23m and tying him down to a five-year deal.
This contract, which lasts until 2028 with the option of a further year, is the leverage that the Seagulls will use to ensure they get the best deal for Baleba should he push for a move to Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United is challenged by Carlos Baleba of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United at American Express Community Stadium on May 19, 2024 in Brighton, England.
Some United players have already contacted Baleba(Image: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
The young holding midfielder is considered a long-term replacement for veteran star Casemiro, who is unlikely to be a permanent fixture in the United squad this season.
Amorim has already splashed the cash this summer, securing the signatures of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko for a combined total of over £200m. And it would take a huge bid of £104m to unstick Brighton from their stance on Baleba.
Speaking on United's transfer business in July, Amorim said: "Cunha and Bryan, they had different solutions [offers]. They had Champions League offers. And they wanted to come here. People that say that they come here because of the money… that is a lie. That I know for sure. So, I’m really happy with that.
Jeremy Doku of Manchester City is put under pressure by Carlos Baleba of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Etihad Stadium on March 15, 2025 in Manchester, England.
The midfielder has impressed across two seasons in the Premier League
"That is the key point. They have to want to come here. I think what we can do to the fans is that we want players who have proved [themselves] already.
"Sometimes you have a player with a lot of potential, you have to be aware of that, but all the players that are coming, we need to know the player. We need to talk to the player, we have to explain the project.
"And then one really important thing is that they want to come here. That is the key point. If during the market we can find someone that can help the team and have all that boxes with them, we are going to do it. If not, we cannot do it because it's an important time in our club."
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