Lille will reportedly receive 15% of any sale of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, potentially complicating Manchester United's bid to bring in the Cameroon international.
Man United had been eyeing a late move for the 21-year-old, with the Red Devils recently making contact with Brighton to discuss the possibility of signing him before the end of the transfer window.
However, the 20-time English champions have put their pursuit of the midfielder on hold, with the club accepting that a deal for the Cameroonian at this stage of the market would be very difficult.
Baleba is still believed to be a leading target for Man United, though, with Ruben Amorim's side expected to return during next summer's transfer window.
However, the alleged presence of a sell-on clause in Baleba's Brighton contact could make it difficult for Man United to sign him, with the Seagulls likely to want in excess of £100m for his signature in 2026.
Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba on January 25, 2025
Lille 'set' to receive 15% of any Baleba sale
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Lille will receive 15% of any future sale, with the French outfit therefore in line for a substantial cash injection.
Without the clause, it is claimed that Brighton might have been looking at £85m for Baleba this summer, which Man United were allegedly prepared to pay, but the deal is expected to be over £100m due to the amount that the Seagulls will have to transfer to Lille.
Baleba made the move to Lille in January 2022, and he represented the club on 23 occasions in all competitions before arriving at Brighton in August 2023 for a fee in the region of £26m.
The Cameroonian has made 78 appearances for the Seagulls, scoring four goals and registering two assists, and he is now believed to be on the radars of a number of leading clubs in world football.
Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga pictured on March 29, 2025
Will Man United sign a midfielder before the transfer deadline?
Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga is the latest high-profile midfielder to be linked with a move to Man United, as the club look to improve in that area before the end of the summer transfer window.
Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Atalanta BC's Ederson are also on their shortlist, but it remains to be seen whether a deal for a midfielder can be secured at this stage of the market.
Man United are also still considering bringing in a new goalkeeper, and it is being reported that Paris Saint-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma could still end up making the move to Old Trafford.
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