Carlos Baleba appears to be one of Manchester United’s top midfield targets, even though he has had an atrocious start to the 2025/26 season.
Manchester United’s planned midfield revolution in 2026 seems to have Carlos Baleba written all over it.
Ineos tried to make the move happen in the summer of 2025, making calls to Brighton, but ultimately, the deal wasn’t feasible for the price that was quoted.
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However, interest remains as Fabrizio Romano named Baleba as United’s top target for 2026.
This is despite Baleba playing really poorly for Brighton all season long, struggling to cope with the pressure that comes with United interest. Now, after new links, Brighton’s CEO has spoken out.
Paul Barber responds to Carlos Baleba and Manchester United claims
While it is only the 3rd of January, reports indicate that United have attempted to sign Baleba this month, getting nowhere with enquiries.
Due to these reports, there has been renewed talk around United swooping for a midfielder in January. But speaking on talkSPORT, Brighton CEO Paul Barber has shut down this belief.
“No call from Old Trafford. No call from anyone connected to Manchester United. We have no plans or desire to sell Carlos in this window, or in any future window, but we know he’s a talented player, and he’s got a lot of options ahead of him in the future.
“For us right now, he’s an important player in the second half of the season, and we’re looking forward to getting him back from AFCON.”
IS Carlos Baleba’s form concerning or do you still want him at Manchester United?🇨🇲
CAN he handle the PRESSURE of playing at Old Trafford after he hasn't coped with the links well?🤔
While Barber has to say this in order to retain some of his negotiating power if and when United comes to the table, his desire to be so loud does suggest he expects some sort of approach.
If United weren’t making moves for Baleba, surely their CEO wouldn’t feel the need to come and publicly shut it down.
Baleba will need to force a move to Manchester United
While the 22-year-old has struggled this season on the south coast, Baleba was named in the AFCON team of the tournament after the group stage alongside Amad and Noussair Mazraoui.
This suggests his performance levels are more of a Brighton problem than a Baleba issue, as he is handling the pressure of representing Cameroon just fine.
If Baleba is set on joining United, Brighton won’t get the bidding war they are no doubt dreaming of, and therefore, it would be tough to see any other route than United getting the Cameroon international.
Baleba might have to agitate for the move, and he might very well do this once he returns from AFCON, as another half-season of struggling helps nobody.
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