Baleba linked with United sparks transfer race

Manchester United pursue Carlos Baleba with a reported £120 million bid, signaling a bold shift in their transfer strategy.

Manchester United bid for Baleba reshapes transfer market

Manchester United have stepped up their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba with a substantial bid. The offer, reported at around £120 million, would likely break the Premier League transfer record and comes as City and Liverpool monitor the situation. United aim to seal a deal before the window ends as rival clubs weigh their options.

Baleba, 21, has made a strong impression in the Premier League since arriving from Lille. United see him as an engine who can disrupt play and feed their creative talent, while also offering defensive grit in midfield. If completed, the move would mark a bold shift in United’s spending approach under manager Ruben Amorim and reflect a wider trend toward high stakes for young midfielders in the league.

This handful of weeks could redefine how top clubs value young midfield talent. A £120m price tag raises questions about the sustainability of record fees and how clubs balance ambition with wage structures. If United pull it off, it would set a new benchmark and invite fresh scrutiny of the market dynamics around 21-year-olds with potential. A successful bid would also intensify the transfer chase around Baleba, pressuring City and Liverpool to act quickly or risk losing out.

The move also tests United’s stated aim to reclaim top form. It signals a willingness to push beyond incremental upgrades and a readiness to bet big on a player seen as a long term fit. However, the financial risk is real, and the ripple effects on squad cohesion and development plans will be watched closely by fans and critics alike.

Highlights

The outcome will shape not just one club but the tone of the summer window.