Manchester United are softening their stance on a move for Carlos Baleba this summer amid Brighton’s strong statement on the player.
Manchester United are entering the closing stages of their summer transfer window, with Rúben Amorim eager to make further additions to his squad.
So far, United have secured the signings of Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Bryan Mbeumo, and their newest striker, Benjamin Šeško.
The four arrivals have cost in the region of £214 million, with Leon the only player to join for less than £60 million. Amorim is still pushing to sign both a midfielder and a goalkeeper, with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba seen as the leading midfield target.
But with his price tag believed to be around £100 million, United must first raise funds through player sales before making their next move.
Brighton confident Baleba will stay
Multiple reports have confirmed that Baleba is keen to make the switch to Old Trafford this summer, as he is a key cog in Amorim’s long-term vision.
However, speaking in a press conference on Friday morning, Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler issued a strong statement regarding the player, stating that he is very confident the 21-year-old will stay at the club this summer.
“Very, very, very confident,” Hürzeler said when asked if he feels Baleba will stay. “Yes. Just my belief.”
When pressed on if he has noticed any change in Baleba since United’s interest picked up, the German replied, “I didn’t see any change. He only changed his hair. So I think that was the only change he made the last two weeks. But overall, he seems to be in a really good place.
“He’s enjoying it with his teammates. He’s enjoying being a private player. He’s very grateful to have the process he had in the last season. So I didn’t see any big change. And he’s an option to start for tomorrow [vs Fulham].”
United are changing their mind on Baleba
Initially, when United registered their interest in Baleba and learned that the player would be very open to a move to United, it seemed as if they would go all in on trying to secure the midfielder this summer.
But, amid Hürzeler’s confidence that the player will remain a Brighton player this summer, United are starting to change their mind about a move.
According to the Manchester Evening News, United are now prepared to delay their move for Baleba by 12 months, and instead look to sign the player in the summer of 2026.
The MEN reports that although United have not given up on signing the Cameroon international this summer, senior figures at the club have conceded that a deal being struck before the 1 September deadline is unlikely.
However, with Toby Collyer set to join West Bromwich Albion on loan, United still intend to secure a new midfielder in the coming weeks to reinforce a much-needed area in Amorim’s squad, although this may be a stopgap option before trying again for Baleba next summer.
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