Carlos Baleba ‘would be keen’ on making the move to Old Trafford this summer ‘if Manchester United try’ to sign him.
That’s according to Ben Jacobs (via The United Stand), who adds that it ‘would be logical’ if Brighton and Hove Albion had lowered their valuation from what they were demanding last year – a fee in the region of the £115 million they received for Moises Caicedo.
Carlos Baleba to Manchester United: What’s the latest?
United, on the other hand, have privately outlined that they would not pay above £75m for the 22-year-old, whose form did falter throughout 2025/2026.
One issue in any potential pursuit of Baleba is that he suffered an ankle ligament injury this month, which is expected to rule him out of the opening of the new season.
David Ornstein did, however, state that it’s not expected to be a ‘longer-term problem’, so United may feel inclined to do a deal anyway.
After all, they have had the Cameroonian on their shortlist for well over a year now, and the few midfielders that fit INEOS’ criteria are being snapped up thick and fast.
If not Baleba, United still desperately need another midfielder
Fabrizio Romano has already claimed Baleba is ‘pushing like crazy’ to join United before the deadline, though the Reds haven’t gone as far as reigniting talks following their failed approach last year.
Should anything materialise, he would be the third Premier League-proven addition in the middle of the park for Michael Carrick, following Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to complete a much-needed rebuild.
It remains to be seen how much Manuel Ugarte will feature when he returns to full fitness, having suffered a serious knee injury at the World Cup that later required surgery.
United kick off their 2026/2027 campaign away to newly promoted Hull City on Saturday, August 22.
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