Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba has broken his silence on persistent links to Manchester United, revealing a focused mindset that could complicate any potential move. The 22-year-old Cameroon international has been on United's radar since last summer, with the club reportedly exploring a January switch to reinforce their midfield.
United initiated preliminary talks with Brighton over Baleba during the previous transfer window, but were deterred by the Seagulls' staggering £115million valuation of the player. Despite that, reports suggest Baleba remains high on United's wishlist, with a summer move seen as more probable.
Addressing the speculation in an interview with Sky Sports in August, Baleba insisted he is not swayed by links to big clubs. 'I don't really think like that: playing for two or three years and then leaving. I just work,' he said. 'If there are big clubs who want me, it's not something that worries me or gets me excited. I just need to work hard and keep a cool head.'
United, who spent over £200million last summer to back then-manager Ruben Amorim, are now preparing for a midfield overhaul following confirmation that Casemiro will leave the club at the end of the season. Amorim was dismissed after around 14 months, with Michael Carrick taking over. Baleba's determined character, while perhaps a hurdle, only reinforces the club's interest in securing his services in the coming months.
