Manchester United continue to be linked with a move for Brighton star Carlos Baleba as an option to strengthen the midfield ranks
Carlos Baleba of Brighton during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur
Carlos Baleba continues to be linked with a transfer switch to Manchester United(Image: (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images))
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While Manchester United are expected to have a quiet January transfer window, plans are already heating up for the upcoming summer transfer window, where the club are expected to go big in the market with Carlos Baleba reported to be at the centre of it all.
Some of that business could be dependent on the next manager, with Ruben Amorim's exit paving the way for Michael Carrick to be the caretaker, while a search continues for the future head coach hire.
However, one area that certainly needs improving, regardless of the next head coach, is the midfield.
Links have appeared surrounding the likes of Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, and Alex Scott, who are all young stars that fit the profile Man United want for the foreseeable future.
Then there is the case of Carlos Baleba, who was on the list for United last summer, but a deal wasn't viewed as feasible at the time, so the midfielder stayed at Brighton.
Now, however, The Sun reports that the club are growing "increasingly confident" of securing the 22-year-old as part of a deal in the summer. There is reportedly a growing belief and sense of optimism among the Man United hierarchy that they can seal a move for Baleba, who has a deal until 2028 at Brighton.
The Manchester Evening News understands that Baleba remains a long-term target for United and he is on the radar as the club look to overhaul their midfield this summer.
While there is confidence at Old Trafford, the Seagulls have been confident in their own assessment of the midfielder, with chief executive Paul Barber discussing the possibility of an exit.
Speaking to the official Brighton website, he said: "[We’ve had] no call from Old Trafford, no call from anyone connected to Manchester United. We have no plans or desire to sell Carlos Baleba in this window or any future window.
“We know he’s a talented player, and I am sure he’s got a lot of options ahead of him in the future. For us he’s an important player in the second half of the season and we’re looking forward to having back from AFCON.”
While Brighton may suggest they have no plans to sell Baleba, Man United may be joined by plenty of others who will test them and the player with offers moving forward.
Baleba Carlos Noom Quomah of Cameroon gestures
Carlos Baleba continues to be linked with Manchester United(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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United are likely to be on the lookout for more than one midfielder in the summer, which could open up other opportunities in the market to pursue.
It's clear that the squad needs to improve with ball progression from midfield, having lacked the sort of presence that can help them take control of games.
There is uncertainty circling the future of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, who have been the main starters in a midfield double pivot this season, while Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte also face the possibility of an exit in the summer.
Baleba may be one of many potential answers to the problems that Man United face, but there is still work to do to land the Seagulls star ahead of the 2026/27 season.