Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba looks to be the new long-term target for Manchester United as they aim to strengthen the middle of the pitch
Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba
Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba(Image: Getty)
Over the past couple of weeks, speculation has been rife over Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba leaving the south coast to join Manchester United.
On the surface, it almost felt too good to be true for United considering how much they have already spent this summer. And, as it turns out, that appears to be exactly the case.
MEN Sport understands that while Baleba is believed to be keen on a move to United this summer, a deal being agreed before the end of the transfer window is unlikely. Instead, the Reds are happy to wait until next year and return for the player then when, hopefully, their finances look stronger too.
In truth, this decision has probably been made due to the feeling coming out of Baleba's camp on his feelings towards staying with the Seagulls. His manager, Fabian Hurzeler, shed some light on that in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
"Very, very, very confident (he will stay)," the head coach said. "It's just my belief.
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"I didn't see any change in him. He only changed his hair, that was the only change he made in the last two weeks.
"But overall, he seems to be in a really good place. He's enjoying it with his team-mates.
"He's enjoying being a Brighton player. He's very grateful to have the progress he made in the last season.
"I didn't see any big change. He is an option to start for tomorrow."
Hurzeler's comments suggest that there was never likely to be a situation which Newcastle are currently finding with Alexander Isak, where he is refusing to play to push through a move elsewhere. And, actually, that is not a bad thing.
Baleba is showing the sort of person that he is by choosing not to let the speculation bother him and getting on with the job that he is paid to do.
Plus, United can now take the long approach and spend the next year negotiating a fee for the midfielder in order to get that business done early for the 2026/27 campaign.
In the meantime, Baleba's stock rises, and everyone ends up winning. The only issue for United in the short term is that they will need to find an alternative this summer.
The midfield still needs reinforcements, but perhaps the Reds will look towards a player like Morten Hjulmand from Sporting, who Ruben Amorim knows will fit straight into his system.
But, in terms of Baleba, this slow and steady approach could be United's best bet of signing him.