Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba has been linked with a move to Manchester United over the past year, but Roberto De Zerbi could form a reunion with the Cameroon international at Tottenham this summer.
It’s no secret that Manchester United are in the market for new midfielders. Casemiro will leave at the end of his contract and looks set to sign a three-year deal at Inter Miami.
One of the many midfielders being linked to United is Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, following a failed pursuit last year.
Baleba didn’t have his best season with Brighton, with potential suitors hoping that this will decrease his value in the transfer market. It has now emerged that United may have competition for Baleba’s signature should they formalise their interest in the player.
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Roberto De Zerbi wants Carlos Baleba at Tottenham
After becoming Tottenham’s head coach towards the end of the 2025/26 season, Roberto De Zerbi helped the North London outfit survive a relegation scare.
Tottenham will be looking to climb up the table next season, and De Zerbi has been trusted with the rebuild to help achieve the club’s objectives.
According to The Independent, De Zerbi is hoping to raid his old club Brighton, with three players being the primary targets, including defensive midfielder Baleba, central defender Jean Paul van Hecke, and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
This could impact United’s quest to sign Baleba, as they may look elsewhere to avoid a bidding war when cheaper options exist.
The report claims that Baleba is likely to prove the trickiest, with Brighton demanding over £100m, which is a price tag that will likely force United to look elsewhere.
It will excite Brighton that more clubs are showing an interest in Baleba. They may not want to sell the 22-year-old, but a deal offering significant profit on the player would be seen as positive business.
A bidding war would likely lead United to consider other options, which they’ve already been doing after being linked to Elliot Anderson, Ederson, and Mateus Fernandes.
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Roberto De Zerbi wants to sign Carlos Baleba for Tottenham
- The Brighton midfielder has been linked to Manchester United
- Brighton want £100m for Baleba
Were you IMPRESSED by Carlos Baleba’s cameo against Manchester United?
He changed the game after his arrival🤔
Carlos Baleba signed for Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton
De Zerbi was Brighton manager when they signed Baleba from Lille in August 2023.
The Cameroon international cost Brighton £23.2m.
Baleba’s job was to help fill the void left by Moises Caicedo, with De Zerbi implementing him into the team during his final season at the club.
Only time will tell if De Zerbi is able to swing this transfer in Tottenham’s favour, or whether Baleba will be priced out of a move from Brighton again.
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