“Carlos Baleba motivated to head to Manchester United this summer.”

Carlos Baleba is completely surrendered to the possibility of moving to the giant Manchester United, after a season marked by ups, downs, and behind-the-scenes negotiations that promise to ignite the summer transfer market. The young midfielder from Brighton & Hove Albion, coveted by the English colossus since last summer, has already made it known to teammates and opponents that his desire to wear the Red Devils’ shirt has never been stronger – even in the face of the financial constraints imposed by the club from the south of England.

Manchester United has initiated formal contact with Carlos Baleba during the last transfer window, but quickly found itself hindered by a demand deemed astronomical: Brighton set the price for the Cameroonian international at £100 million, a figure that proved unsustainable for the coffers at Old Trafford. Despite the apparent impasse, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that the Red Devils reached a personal agreement with Baleba, an agreement that, according to all indications, remains valid for this summer. The 22-year-old African midfielder is absolutely excited about the possibility of joining the United squad and has reportedly discussed the prospect of a transfer openly with several players at the club.

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According to information reported by The Sun, Baleba spoke with Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha following Manchester United’s convincing 3-0 victory at the Amex Stadium in the latest round of the Premier League. “Cunha has been a support for Baleba in the past, having played against him twice for Wolves,” the report highlights, positioning the Brazilian as another influential voice in favor of the move. On the other hand, Baleba maintains a close relationship with compatriot Bryan Mbeumo, while André Onana, the Cameroonian goalkeeper for the Red Devils, reportedly encouraged Baleba to join United even before he was loaned to Trabzonspor. The circle of influence surrounding Baleba increases the pressure on Brighton, but the club is currently refusing to yield.

The former Lille prodigy, known for his athleticism and boundless stamina, shone against United in May but saw his season marred by some instability, particularly due to the frustration of not having completed a transfer to Old Trafford. Fabian Hürzeler, Brighton’s manager, recently admitted that “there may be some noise in his head,” clearly referring to the persistent interest from Manchester United. Still, the German coach opted to give the midfielder only 23 starts in the Premier League, a clear sign that the player was never fully focused or at ease.

Baleba’s numbers for the 2025/26 season show quality, but also room for improvement: the midfielder delivered solid performances but fell short of expectations in terms of consistency, raising doubts about his true market value. Even amid the fluctuations in performance, the Seagulls remain steadfast and will not easily relinquish the asking price, creating a genuine tug-of-war with Manchester United, which seeks to bolster its midfield with a player for the future.

The transfer of Baleba has direct implications for the Red Devils’ strategy for the new season. United is seeking fresh blood and energy in midfield, following a season marked by some apathy and a lack of creative solutions. The eventual acquisition of the Cameroonian could revolutionize the dynamics of the midfield and reignite Manchester’s aspirations in the battle for the top spots in the Premier League and in European campaigns.

In light of this scenario, the next step will be crucial: Manchester United must decide whether it is willing to make a concrete offer that meets Brighton’s demands or if it will shift its attention to other targets. For his part, Baleba will continue to manage the anxiety and pressure, knowing that a transfer to Old Trafford could be the necessary boost to reach another competitive level. The outcome of this saga promises to shake up the upcoming weeks of the transfer market, in a summer that is expected to be explosive in England.

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