Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba has spoken out about his leadership qualities and those of international colleague Bryan Mbeumo, as speculation continues to link him with a big-money move to Manchester United.
Baleba's Leadership and United's Lingering Interest
The 21-year-old Cameroon star, who was a target for the Red Devils last summer, has been discussing the importance of strong characters within the national squad as they prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations. United's pursuit of Baleba in the previous transfer window was halted after Brighton quoted a fee in excess of £100 million, a figure that proved prohibitive for the Old Trafford club.
Despite that setback, a central midfielder remains a priority for United, especially following the injury to captain Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese playmaker has been ruled out of action on Boxing Day and is likely to be absent until next month, exacerbating the need for reinforcements. The club has been linked with several alternatives, including Ruben Neves, Adam Wharton, and Elliot Anderson, but Baleba is understood to still feature on their shortlist.
Focus on AFCON Glory with Fellow 'Leader' Mbeumo
Amid the ongoing transfer rumours, Baleba's immediate focus is on success with Cameroon. In a recent interview, he emphasised his belief in the squad and singled out Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, who joined Ruben Amorim's United side last summer, for particular praise.
"I believe in our players," Baleba said. "We go to play the AFCON, and I think we're going to do well. Playing for Cameroon, for me it's big, because I want to win something with my country." He expressed a clear ambition to win both the AFCON and the World Cup with Cameroon.
On the topic of leadership within the camp, he added: "I've become a big leader but there are a lot of leaders in the group. There are a lot of leaders like Bryan Mbeumo. But everyone, we're going to stay together and play. And maybe we can give all of ourselves to our country. But the first thing is to believe in our team."
Brighton Back Baleba to Bounce Back
The young midfielder will be hoping the AFCON tournament provides a platform to rediscover his best form after a challenging start to the domestic season with Brighton. The Seagulls' sporting director, Jason Ayto, has publicly backed Baleba to return stronger.
"He’s getting stronger and stronger as the season goes on," Ayto told The Athletic. "We’re really looking forward to watching him represent his country in the AFCON, and we’re really excited to get him back. He’s a happy, strong, energetic Carlos who’s really good for us. I think he’s going to go from strength to strength in the second half of the season."
Baleba and Mbeumo will first link up for Cameroon in their AFCON opener against Gabon in Morocco. Their group also includes fixtures against Ivory Coast and Mozambique, presenting a stern test of the leadership qualities Baleba has highlighted.
