Manchester United have the full go-ahead from one player to complete a signing, but they are yet to make their move this summer. The Red Devils' preparations for the new season are already well underway, with two friendlies now in the books after Friday night's 5-0 win over Rosenborg.
Michael Carrick has also made progress on the transfer front, signing Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, while work is ongoing to sign another midfielder, a left-back and likely a forward, although the latter could depend on a departure.
More business is to come for United, and they know the central midfielder role is likely the most important, given the vital importance of having a world-class pivot in the modern game, and the Red Devils have lost Casemiro this summer.
Baleba option is still on the table for Man Utd
baleba brighton
Man Utd were heavily linked with a move for Brighton's holding midfielder Carlos Baleba during the January transfer window, and the links have spilled over into this summer. United are taking their time over the signing of the final new midfielder of the summer, and they are yet to make a move for Baleba, but the 'monster' midfielder still dreams of a move to Old Trafford.
Fabrizio Romano shared on his YouTube channel: "From my understanding, Baleba one year ago, August 2025, was pushing like crazy to go to Man United, and Baleba had an agreement on personal terms with Man United. So he had his dream to become a Man United player. Then Man United couldn't proceed because Brighton didn't want to sell the player.
"He was a top target at that time with Amorim, and so nothing happened. Then Man United were considering Baleba as a top target when Amorim was at the club. Then, since January, when Amorim and Man United decided not to continue together, since that time the track has gone cold for Baleba.
"Now the name is out there again. Why? Because my understanding is that those close to the player have been in contact again with Man United to suggest the possibility to return for Baleba. So it's from Baleba side that they are trying to understand if Man United can return for the boy or not after the Ederson deal off and after all the other developments from Baleba side, they want to understand if there is a chance to reopen conversations and negotiations with Man United."
Baleba's asking price is unclear this summer, but it will be North of £70million.
Baleba could be 'one of the best'
brighton carlos baleba
There is big hope around the future of the 'world-class' Baleba, who has already proven himself more than competent at Premier League level despite still being only 22 years of age.
“I’m a big fan of Carlos Baleba at Brighton," former Premier League midfielder Charlie Adam said last year. "The two lads, Baleba and Yasin Ayari, at Brighton have been very good. I watched them when Brighton won at Manchester United. I thought they were excellent. Are they the next ones from the conveyor belt to maybe move on? The Cameroonian is a very good player, 21 years of age. I think that he’s been something that’s different from what’s been in the Premier League.”
Former Brighton and current Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has said: "I believe in Carlos. He can become one of the best players in the Premier League in the future, for sure.”
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Man Utd vs Rosenborg: Who Played, Goalscorers and Zirkzee's Moment of Class
Carrick's men won comfortably against the Norwegian side