Carlos Baleba is top of Ruben Amorim's transfer wishlist at Manchester United, but the Red Devils could have saved themselves a fortune if they'd signed the midfielder in 2023
Carlos Baleba (L) and Diego Gómez of Brighton & Hove Albion reacts after the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 25, 2025 in London, England.
Carlos Baleba is a current top target for Ruben Amorim and Manchester United
(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Carlos Baleba is at the top of Ruben Amorim's transfer wishlist, but Manchester United could have saved a significant sum if they had signed the now £104million-rated midfielder back in 2023.
Baleba has been drawing attention throughout the summer window, and Amorim's team is currently evaluating his willingness to join United and the salary that would be needed to persuade him to do so. As things stand, Brighton currently have no plans to sell the 21-year-old.
Several current United players have reached out to Baleba about a potential move to Old Trafford in an effort to convince him to relocate to the north west. This comes as United discover they could have secured the young midfielder for a staggering £81m less than they'll now have to pay if they had signed him two years ago.
When Baleba transferred to Brighton in 2023, the then-19-year-old was making a name for himself at Lille, impressing as a defensive midfielder against teams like Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain. Numerous clubs were linked with the young Cameroonian, but it was the Seagulls who won the race, securing him for £23m and signing him to a five-year contract.
This contract, which runs until 2028 with the option to extend for another year, is the bargaining chip Brighton will use to ensure they get the best deal for Baleba should he decide to push for a move to Old Trafford.
The young defensive midfielder is seen as a long-term successor for seasoned star Casemiro, who isn't expected to be a regular feature in United's squad this season.
Carlos Baleba of Brighton and Hove Albion on the ball during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Molineux on May 10, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England.
Carlos Baleba was available for £23million in 2023 - but now he is reportedly worth over £100m
Amorim has already been busy in the transfer market this summer, securing the signatures of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko for a combined sum exceeding £200m. Only a hefty offer of £104m would sway Brighton from their position on Baleba.
Discussing United's transfer dealings 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.
"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.
Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United is fouled by Carlos Baleba of Brighton and Hove Albion resulting in a penalty kick during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Old Trafford on January 19, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Some United players have already been in contact with Baleba
"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."