Baleba transfer talks planned at United

Manchester United pursue Carlos Baleba from Brighton with talks planned, while a high price and budget questions shape the path forward.

Baleba to United as transfer talks planned

Manchester United are pursuing Carlos Baleba from Brighton, with talks planned and a price around £100m on the radar. Intermediaries have been used to gauge willingness to strike, and United acknowledge the challenge of funding a deal that would test their current budget after heavy spending this window. Brighton previously signaled a high valuation during Moises Caicedo’s move, a reminder that price can set the pace in this market.

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has pushed back on speculation, saying United have not been in touch and stressing that the club does not intend to sell top players except when the move serves their own plans. The Seagulls have already benefited from Joao Pedro’s sale but remain reluctant to lose Baleba, especially while there is still room to build around him. Fabrizio Romano has noted the possibility United will press ahead even if the deal faces difficulties, while Ruben Amorim at United continues to prioritise midfield recruitment as part of a broader rebuild.

If the Baleba pursuit is real, it highlights how young midfielders are becoming high value bets for big clubs. A price near nine figures would mark a notable shift in what teams are willing to pay for potential rather than proven elite level form. United signaling patience on personal terms suggests a careful, long view approach rather than a quick fix.

Brighton’s stance shows how smaller clubs use leverage in a crowded market. Keeping Baleba would preserve an asset that helped them punch above their weight recently, while the market remains volatile with rivals circling. The coming weeks could reveal how much appetite there is for selective selling and whether fans will accept a bold, expensive bet in midfield or pushback against rapid-fire spending.

Highlights

Markets move fast and the next chapter may hinge on Brighton's reply.