Manchester United are reportedly setting their sights on Brighton & Hove Albion's talented midfielder Carlos Baleba in a potential £40 million transfer swoop. The Red Devils are eager to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2024/25 season, and the 20-year-old Cameroonian has emerged as a key target.
Baleba's Rapid Rise at Brighton
Since joining Brighton from Lille last summer for just £23 million, Baleba has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League's most promising young midfielders. His impressive performances under Roberto De Zerbi have caught the attention of several top clubs, with Manchester United now leading the chase.
United's Midfield Reinforcements
Erik ten Hag is determined to revamp his midfield options following a disappointing season. With Casemiro potentially heading to Saudi Arabia and Christian Eriksen's future uncertain, Baleba represents an exciting long-term solution for the Red Devils.
The young midfielder's energy, technical ability and physical presence would add a new dimension to United's engine room. His versatility to play both as a defensive midfielder and box-to-box player makes him particularly attractive to Ten Hag's plans.
Brighton's Stance on the Transfer
Brighton are known for their tough negotiating stance, having secured massive fees for players like Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister in recent years. The Seagulls are likely to demand at least £40 million for their rising star, potentially making this one of the summer's most intriguing transfer sagas.
With pre-season preparations underway, Manchester United will need to act quickly if they want to secure Baleba's signature before other European giants enter the race for the talented youngster.
