Carlos Baleba has made his feelings on a potential move to Manchester United clear as Rúben Amorim’s club keep working on a deal.
Manchester United are approaching the final stretch of their summer transfer dealings, with Rúben Amorim determined to further strengthen his squad.
In the 2025 window so far, United have added Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Bryan Mbeumo, and, most recently, striker Benjamin Šeško.
The four signings have cost roughly £214 million, with only Leon’s deal falling below the £60 million mark. Amorim is still aiming to bring in a midfielder and a goalkeeper, with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba identified as the top midfield target.
However, with his valuation reportedly near £100 million, United will have to offload players to raise the necessary funds before pursuing additional signings.
United still believe Baleba is possible
Despite the mammoth asking price, contacts for Baleba remain ongoing, with United still pushing for a deal despite growing difficulties, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The move is proving “very difficult,” not only due to finances but also because of Brighton’s strategic stance. As things stand, Brighton are “still not giving an official number” to United and are maintaining a firm position that they “don’t want to sell.”
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano draws a comparison to Brighton’s handling of Moisés Caicedo two years ago, when they also refused to give a price until late in the window. Eventually, Chelsea swooped in and matched Liverpool’s offer. A similar situation could unfold again, with Brighton continuing to send a clear message: “We don’t want to sell.”
Despite this, United “are still there.” They remain in contact with Baleba’s agents and are actively working on the deal, trying to understand just how “high this wall” from Brighton really is. Crucially, Baleba himself is not closing the door.
Personal terms are not an issue, and the lack of European football at United is “not the problem” for the player who would be ready to sign for United “immediately” if a deal can be agreed.
Romano adds that United will eventually need to make a decision on whether to keep pushing or move on. For now, the story “remains ongoing” and is set to be one of the key transfer sagas in the final weeks of the window.
United following new transfer blueprint
With the Baleba deal, United are clearly following the same blueprint they’ve laid out for their three major transfers.
With Cunha, Šeško, and Mbeumo, United ensured the players were committed to Amorim’s project and to joining the club over any other potential suitors before entering into transfer talks, as this demonstrated to United that the players were on board with the project and handed them extra bargaining power.
Baleba has clearly bought into United’s pitch and is very keen on the move to Manchester this summer, which may hand the club a crucial edge when entering into negotiations with Brighton.
The South Coast club are known to be very tough negotiators and will not give United concessions in any potential deal, but if Baleba were to push his current side to talk to Amorim’s club, this could help push open the door for a move.
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