Baleba deal update

Manchester United end any swap talks for Carlos Baleba as the midfielder heads to West Brom on a season-long loan.

Baleba to United deal ruled out as he joins West Brom on loan

Manchester United have ruled out using Toby Collyer in a swap deal with Brighton for Carlos Baleba this summer. Baleba will move to West Bromwich Albion on a season-long loan, with Brighton valuing the midfielder at about £100 million and United weighing its options. Senior sources say a deal is unlikely this window, though United could revisit the transfer next year. Collyer, who came through Brighton’s academy before joining United in 2022, will now be available for West Brom’s weekend game.

The outcome shows United balancing immediate needs with a longer plan in midfield. A loan for Baleba buys time to assess whether a big price tag can translate into on-field value. The move also hints at a broader strategy to rotate young talent through loan spells rather than chase a single blockbuster signing this window.

Brighton’s high valuation and the rejection of a swap deal underline how the market is reshaping midseason moves. For fans, it signals caution about risk and cost, even as the club signals willingness to invest in depth. The Collyer loan keeps a link to United’s development pathway while signaling that the club is not ready to gamble on a dramatic overhaul this summer.

Highlights

The market moves fast and the next chapter could come sooner than expected.