Brighton star Carlos Baleba is top of Manchester United's wishlist, but the Red Devils could have saved themselves a huge sum of money if they'd made a move earlier
08:52, 13 Aug 2025
Carlos Baleba playing for Brighton
Manchester United are targeting a move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Carlos Baleba is Ruben Amorim's top transfer target, but Manchester United could have saved a fortune if they had secured the £104million-rated midfielder back in 2023.
The Brighton ace has been turning heads throughout the summer transfer window, and the Red Devils are currently gauging Baleba's interest in joining United and the wages required to get him to Old Trafford. However, the Seagulls currently have no intention of parting ways with the 21-year-old.
The Mirror reports that several current United players have contacted Baleba about a potential move to Old Trafford as part of a concerted effort to persuade him to join Amorim's side. This comes as United discover they could have bagged the young midfielder for an astonishing £81m less than his current price tag if they had signed him two years earlier.
When Baleba moved to Brighton in 2023, the then-19-year-old was making waves at Lille, impressing as a defensive midfielder in Ligue 1. Numerous clubs were linked with the young Cameroonian, but the Seagulls clinched the deal, snapping him up for £23m and securing him on a five-year contract.
This agreement, which runs until 2028 with the option to extend for another year, gives Brighton the upper hand in negotiations, ensuring they get the best possible deal for Baleba should he decide to push for a move to Old Trafford.
The young defensive midfielder, whose stock is continually rising, is seen as a long-term successor to veteran star Casemiro, who isn't expected to be a regular in the United team this season.
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Cakis Baleba celebrates scoring for Brighton
Brighton could make a significant profit from the former Lille midfielder(Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
Amorim has already been busy in the transfer market this summer, securing the services of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko for a combined total exceeding £200m. However, it would take a hefty bid of £104m to persuade Brighton to part ways with Baleba.
The Seagulls have seen Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo leave the club for significant sums in recent years. However, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler will not be worried about losing another star name.
"We as a club always find solutions and I'm sure in the future we will find solutions," he said during an appearance on the Monday Night Club. "That's our model, we have to accept it."
In July, Amorim discussed United's transfer activity: "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.
Carlos Baleba playing for Brighton
Carlos Baleba made 34 league appearances last season(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
"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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