Spending huge funds hasn’t been alien to Manchester United in recent years, as seen by the staggering total of £800m spent on new additions in the last four years alone.
The hierarchy have constantly splashed the cash under various managers to try and lead the Red Devils up the Premier League to return to their former glory.
However, such funds have been massively wasted on countless players, which has resulted in measly top-flight finishes and huge losses being made when shifting such players out the door.
Ten-Hag-signings-Man-Utd-timeless
Their recent efforts in the transfer market haven’t deterred the board from continuing to invest in the senior ranks, as seen by the £200m spending spree during the summer window.
Next summer appears to be a huge opportunity for the club to strengthen their ranks and mount a title challenge, with numerous top-level players already being eyed up.
Man Utd targeting club-record summer move for Premier League star
The midfield department has been the area most talked about at Old Trafford in recent weeks, especially after Casemiro announced he would be leaving United at the end of the season.
Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson is just one player who has been considered by the recruitment team in recent months, with the Englishman set to be one of the most in-demand talents in the league.
Elliot Anderson Nottingham Forest record stats
Manchester City and Chelsea are just two other sides who have also expressed an interest in landing the 23-year-old next summer, with Sean Dyche’s side demanding at least £100m for his services.
However, at present, it appears as though the Red Devils are prioritising a move for Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba, after previously trying to land his signature last summer.
According to TEAMtalk, the hierarchy are considering a club-record approach for the Cameroonian international during the summer transfer window.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba in action with Manchester City's Omar Marmoush
The report states that the 22-year-old, who has made 18 league appearances this season, could cost as much as £100m during the off-season, subsequently breaking the £89m fee paid for Paul Pogba a decade ago.
Manchester United record signings Related
Man Utd's most expensive signings of all time
A number of their additions haven't lived up to expectations.
It goes on to confirm that the player himself would be open to a move to the Theatre of Dreams, but only if the two clubs can agree on a fee for his signature.
Why Baleba would be United’s next Mbeumo
Spending big on players playing for other Premier League clubs has been a common theme for United in recent times, as seen with the deal to land Bryan Mbeumo in the summer.
Amad-Bryan-Mbeumo-Man-Utd
The Red Devils forked out a reported £71m for the Cameroonian’s signature during the off-season, with the 26-year-old joining the club after a 20-goal season with Brentford.
Despite the hefty fee spent on his signature, the attacker has been worth every penny - as seen by his tally of nine league goals to date, which is the most of any player in the squad.
He appears to have taken his form to the next level since the arrival of temporary boss Michael Carrick, with Mbeumo scoring in each of the two wins over Manchester City and Arsenal.
There’s no doubt the forward will play a key role in any future success at Old Trafford, with the board desperately needing to replicate such a deal in the years ahead.
B. Mbeumo
A move for Baleba could offer the side another top-level talent, with the midfielder even replicating the attacker by moving to Manchester during the summer window.
He would be leaving a less-established top-flight club for big bucks, whilst also potentially striking up a partnership at club level with his international teammate.
The Brighton star has been a dominant force in the Premier League this season, showcasing why he has all the tools needed to solve the club’s current issues at the heart of the side.
In his 18 league outings this campaign, the 22-year-old has made 2.1 tackles per 90, whilst coming out on top in 4.9 of the ground duels he’s entered per game.
carlos-baleba-brighton
The aforementioned figures demonstrate his physical and combative nature at the heart of the side, with Carrick’s men desperately needing a player of his calibre when Casemiro departs.
Baleba’s talents without the ball are further reflected in his impressive tallies of 1.7 interceptions and 5.2 ball recoveries made per 90 - with both ranking him in the top 15% of midfielders in the league in 2025/26.
Carlos Baleba - PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Minutes played
Tackles made
Ground duels won
Interceptions made
Ball recoveries made
Pass accuracy
Dribbles completed
Stats via FotMob
However, with the ball at his feet, the Cameroonian has been just as impressive, subsequently completing 87% of the passes he’s attempted, whilst making 3.2 passes into the final third.
Such numbers would no doubt play perfectly into the hands of his compatriot, Mbeumo, with the attacker having an increased chance of bettering his own tallies should Baleba move to Manchester.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba in action with Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic
He’s also completed 57% of the dribbles he’s attempted, whilst achieving a 53% long ball accuracy rate - with his composed nature in possession, handing United another dimension to their side.
Such a move would no doubt cost a pretty penny in the summer, but if he can replicate such figures with any move - the deal would arguably become a bargain.
If he can emulate the success of Mbeumo at Old Trafford, there’s no reason why Baleba can help transform the Red Devils into genuine title challengers in the near future.
Dorgu Related
[Bigger talent than Dorgu: Man Utd among frontrunners to sign £48m "prodigy"](https://www.footballfancast.com/bigger-talent-than-dorgu-man-utd-among-favourites-to-sign-toure/ "Bigger talent than Dorgu: Man Utd among frontrunners to sign £48m "prodigy"")
Manchester United may need to react to Patrick Dorgu's injury before the closing of the January transfer window.