Carlos Baleba: Brighton CEO addresses Man United target’s future | OneFootball

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Manchester United remain hot on the heels of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, but a deal is yet to materialise. The Red Devils were also linked with the Cameroonian last summer, but failed to secure his signature.

Casemiro’s departure at the end of last season has left a hole in the middle of the park. The English giants have attempted to address the situation by signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. However, United still lack a traditional ball winner in the squad, especially with Manuel Ugarte sidelined with an ACL injury and already considered surplus to requirements.

The situation has prompted the Red Devils to turn their attention back to Baleba, having already missed out on Elliot Anderson this summer. The 22 year old left a lasting impression in the 2024/25 season, establishing himself as one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League.

Baleba did not live up to those high standards last season, but appears to have done enough to convince United to rekindle their interest this summer.

Carlos Baleba Stats: 2025/26 Season

Baleba to United: The latest

United completed the signing of Tielemans in mid-July, and things have been quiet on the recruitment front since. The English giants were always expected to sign a third midfielder this year, but their inactivity in the transfer market raised doubts about a move.

All that changed earlier this week, when it was reported out of the blue that the Red Devils were in advanced talks with Brighton for Baleba. That naturally sent fans across the globe into a frenzy, especially since the Cameroonian could be the ideal partner for Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the park.

A deal is expected to materialise for around €70 million and Baleba’s former club Lille, who have a sell-on clause in the deal, are likely to receive €6-8 million. It has also been reported that the midfielder will sign a five-year deal at the Theatre of Dreams.

However, the Cameroonian will miss the start of the season as he is currently recovering from an ankle injury. It is believed that the issue is not a major problem, as United are still going ahead with the deal. However, the move is yet to be completed, and Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has now broken his silence on the matter.

Brighton CEO remains coy about Baleba future

Speaking to talkSPORT on Thursday, Barber remained coy about United’s pursuit of Baleba. When asked by host Jim White if the Cameroonian is on his way to Old Trafford, Barber said: “It’s not something that I can talk about right now.”

However, he hinted that the Seagulls could be open to a deal that is financially feasible, adding: “This time of year we’re always going to be subject to bids for our players, we’re always going to be interested in ones that are sensible and are going to make sense for us financially, economically.”

Barber, though, stressed that Brighton also have to manage their ambitions for the 2026/27 season, stating that the club have to find a balance regarding the matter. He concluded: “But we also have to balance that with making sure our squad is as strong as it can be to compete in competitions like the one we’re in.”

“So nothing really to say on Carlos at the moment other than that he’s a hugely talented young midfielder who’s done really well for us and has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world now for a couple of years.”

Final Thoughts

Barber has not denied United’s interest in the Cameroonian, and all signs indicate that the move is progressing as planned. Fans will hope that INEOS can get a deal across the line soon and shift their focus to other areas of the pitch before the end of the summer.