Manchester United are weighing up a £50 million offer for Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, with reports indicating that personal terms have already been broadly agreed. The Red Devils have long been linked with the Cameroon international, but their pursuit was put on hold after spending over £200 million on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko.
Renewed Interest in Baleba
With Casemiro set to depart at the end of the season and Manuel Ugarte yet to fully convince, United are ready to reignite their interest in the 22-year-old. It is understood that during their initial pursuit, the club 'broadly agreed personal terms' with Baleba, which could now facilitate a potential £50 million bid. According to The Athletic, this is the figure United may open their approach with, testing Brighton's resolve.
Baleba's Season and Potential Stumbling Block
Baleba's campaign has not been entirely smooth; he has been substituted 15 times this season by Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler and has completed the full 90 minutes on only three occasions, including a recent 3-0 home win over Chelsea. United also monitored his performances at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he featured five times for Cameroon, helping them reach the quarter-finals before a 2-0 defeat to hosts Morocco.
However, a major stumbling block could be Brighton's asking price. When United first registered their interest, the Seagulls made it clear they would seek £100 million—comparable to the fee Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo in 2023. Over the summer, United were reportedly prepared to go up to £75 million, but now the club is reluctant to exceed £50 million, a figure unlikely to be welcomed by Brighton.
Other Midfield Targets
United have also been linked with Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, and Newcastle United duo Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. However, none of these Premier League midfielders would come cheap. The club is targeting at least two central midfield signings to fill the void left by Casemiro, and potentially a third if Ugarte departs—with Juventus and Ajax reportedly interested in the Uruguayan.
Managerial Uncertainty
The transfer negotiations may also depend on who is in charge at Old Trafford next season. Michael Carrick has impressed since taking over, lifting United from seventh to third in the league, with the team among the standout performers of 2026. However, the club remains undecided on whether he is the right long-term appointment and will make a decision at the end of the campaign.
