Premier League club open to letting midfielder leave who agreed terms with Man United last year | OneFootball

Manchester United are preparing for a busy summer transfer window as they look to strengthen the squad. The primary focus of the Red Devils will be the midfield position which needs the most attention considering Casemiro is leaving and due to the inconsistent performances of Manuel Ugarte.

22-year-old midfield dynamo Carlos Baleba of Brighton has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for a long time but Brighton were reluctant to let him leave last summer.

Brighton are open to the sale of Baleba

After previously shutting down all approaches, the Seagulls have finally cracked the door open for a potential sale, and two of England’s biggest clubs are already circling.

According to Nicolo Schira, Man United are ready to make an offer for the young midfielder but this time they are likely to face competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea.

The Red Devils actually had a verbal agreement in place with the Cameroonian international last summer, and the player was reportedly extremely keen on a move to Old Trafford.

However, the deal collapsed when Brighton slapped a jaw-dropping valuation of over £100 million on his head, pricing the new INEOS regime out of the move.

Fast forward to the end of the 2025/26 campaign, and the landscape has shifted. Baleba has enjoyed a solid season on the South Coast, racking up 27 Premier League appearances and cementing his reputation as a combative, high-energy defensive midfielder.

United are currently preparing a massive fresh offer to finally get their man.

Man United are set to face competition from Chelsea

But United won’t have a clear run. Chelsea have dramatically entered the chat.

The Blues are reportedly bracing for a major midfield shakeup, especially with heavy speculation linking Enzo Fernandez to a blockbuster move to Manchester City.

If Fernandez departs, Chelsea will desperately need a dominant, physically imposing midfielder to anchor their system, making Baleba the perfect fit.

It could be a solid battle between Man United and Chelsea for the signature of Baleba but United’s homework last year could give them an edge.