Man Utd Weigh Potential Move After £200m Summer Outlay

Manchester United have made initial contact with Brighton & Hove Albion to explore the possibility of signing 21-year-old midfielder Carlos Baleba, according to reports,

The Red Devils want to strengthen their midfield ranks this summer and regard Baleba as a long-term solution.

Baleba impressed during the 2024/25 Premier League campaign for new Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler, featuring 34 times and finding the net on three occasions. His pacey performances and ability to control games from midfield have drawn in a number of elite clubs, United now joining the list as one of the most credible pursuers.

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With Manchester giants near finalizing a transfer for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, the club is also investigating other opportunities to shore up other key areas.

United are known to have made contact with Baleba through intermediaries, as quoted by The Athletic, for what would be the first moves in what could prove a transfer fight.

United have been informed of their approach for the midfielder, who has three years remaining on his contract with the option to keep him for a further 12 months at the Amex," claims the report.

Even while United increasingly covet the Cameroon international, Brighton are adamant that Baleba will not be sold this summer. With three years left on his current deal—and an option to extend it to 2029—the Seagulls are in no rush to flog one of their most talented assets.

The document accepts that the move can be difficult to complete unless Manchester United is able to make significant sales before the transfer window closes. Officials at the club clearly regard the move as "improbable" under current economic conditions.

"There is an acceptance that a switch this summer might be unrealistic, considering Brighton's hesitation to sell and United's outlay in this window," adds the source.

That outlay is supplemented by the high-profile signings of forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, who together have cost a combined total of £133.5 million. The addition of Sesko would bring United's summer expenditure to nearly £200 million—placing them among England's largest spenders in the Premier League, alongside only Chelsea and Liverpool.

United boss Ruben Amorim is said to be demanding more mid tier reinforcements as he looks to add more creativity and midfield control to his preferred 3-4-3 setup.

While Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte add experience and grit, and teenage talents Toby Collyer and Kobbie Mainoo offer pace and potential, the club continues to seek out one who can offer more attacking thrust.

Captain Bruno Fernandes has stayed in his hybrid midfield-forward position for Amorim, but with a desire not to overexploit the Portuguese playmaker too much. Baleba, for the pace and relief of pressure, is seen as stylistically well-adapted to United's evolving tactical structure.

Whether a deal arrives before the September window closes is anyone's guess. For now, Brighton are in the driver's seat, and United will have to wait or alter their approach based on exodus in the coming weeks.

United's makeover in midfield is far from complete, perhaps, but it's a surety that Carlos Baleba is firmly on their sights—if not this round, then the next windows of transfer.