The Athletic reporters Laurie Whitwell and David Ornstein have shared a key detail in Manchester United’s pursuit of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba this summer.
Carlos Baleba has been subject to Manchester United’s transfer interest and the Red Devils’ position on the 21-year-old Cameroonian midfielder has intensified recently.
United are on the hunt for a new midfielder this summer and Ruben Amorim is lacking a defensive midfield option for the two-man pivot in his tactical system.
Baleba has become a key first-team player for the Seagulls and helped fill the void left behind at the Amex after Moises Caicedo’s high-profile move to Chelsea in 2023.
Brighton brought the Cameroon international to the Premier League in 2023 from Ligue 1 outfit Lille and the United-linked Baleba has come into his own as a player.
Laurie Whitwell and David Ornstein reveal a warning sign for Man Utd amid their interest in Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba
Manchester United have shown interest in Carlos Baleba this summer, but the Red Devils face an uphill battle in prising the former Lille talent from Brighton.
Baleba is under contract with the Seagulls until 2028 and Brighton have no desire to sell the United target ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
Laurie Whitwell and David Ornstein admitted in The Athletic’s ‘Transfer DealSheet’ that United could see even more ‘fierce’ competition for midfielder Baleba in 2026.
It is believed that United are ‘studying the parameters’ of a potential transfer and whether or not the club can ‘test’ the resilient ‘resolve’ of Brighton over Baleba.
According to the two Athletic reporters, United are hopeful that their interest in Baleba could sway Brighton to ‘consider’ cashing in on the midfielder now.
Laurie Whitwell and David Ornstein explain where Man Utd currently stand on the transfer situation around Brighton ace Carlos Baleba
Brighton cashed in on Moises Caicedo for an initial fee of £115m in 2023 and the Seagulls could hold out for a hefty transfer price for United-linked Baleba as well.
Whitwell and Ornstein suggested an important detail in United’s transfer pursuit of Baleba all depends on the Red Devils’ ‘chance of success’ in landing him this summer.
It has been reported that United are ‘not expected to submit a bid’ for Brighton’s heir-apparent to Caicedo unless they are confident that the Seagulls could sell him.
According to The Athletic, the deal has to be ‘viable’ for United and ‘indirect conversations’ have been ‘ongoing’ over bringing Baleba to Old Trafford.
Another major detail would be the transfer price tag, with Whitwell and Ornstein highlighting that United’s key 2025 summer signings have been between £60m and £70m.
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