Manchester United have Brighton star Carlos Baleba right at the top of their transfer shortlist after a failed move in the summer and they might have just been given the update that they’ve been wanting
Carlos Baleba
Carlos Baleba has been made to make a money-spinning exit from Brighton
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Brighton star Carlos Baleba will be on the move “soon” amid strong interest from Manchester United. The Cameroonian midfielder has been a long-term target of the Red Devils.
They were initially interested in the summer, albeit Brighton’s £100m price-tag eventually put them off. But that interest hasn’t dropped entirely.
Baleba remains a key target of United chiefs ahead of a huge midfield rebuild at Old Trafford. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Atletico Madrid star Conor Gallagher are among their alternative targets.
But now Baleba has been backed to complete a mega-money move to one of the Premier League’s big boys by former Mali international Cedric Kante. Speaking to Africa Foot, he said: “Manchester United have been interested in him for some time now, especially during the last summer transfer window.
“It doesn’t really surprise me, as the club has the resources to sign him and offer him a very high salary. In my opinion, yes, Baleba will sign with a big English club soon. It seems a done deal.
“Now, the question is when the Cameroonian will leave Brighton. If a club comes in with an offer of over €100 million, his management will find it hard to refuse. And whoever signs him will be getting a good deal: he’s a reliable, consistent player they can count on.”
Baleba, 21, signed for Brighton from Lille in 2023 and he has gone on to make 91 appearances for the South Coast club. He has two-and-a-half years remaining on his deal at the AMEX Stadium.
Should he depart, he could become the latest high-profile star to leave the club after Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Trossard and Robert Sanchez, among others.
Carlos Baleba
Man United are long-term admirers of Carlos Baleba
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Explaining why United failed to sign Baleba in the summer, Brighton chief Tony Bloom said: “I don’t think Baleba was a saga. There was interest from Manchester United, and we said that he wasn't available this summer and they went away.
“So we've had many bigger sagas in the past. But Carlos Baleba, his improvement has been immense. Massively important player to this football club, and just delighted that he's with us for this season.”
Baleba and his Brighton teammates will be back in action this weekend as they take on Brentford at home. Meanwhile, United will be aiming to extend their five-game unbeaten run on Monday evening as they welcome Everton to Old Trafford.
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