Man United pursue Baleba

Manchester United push to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton while the Seagulls prepare for a costly exit and have ready options to fill the gap.

Man United press Baleba bid as Brighton lists midfield replacements

Manchester United are pursuing Carlos Baleba from Brighton this month, according to a report by The Sun. United are pressing ahead after a busy window and see Baleba as a fit for their midfield plans, while Brighton is said to be demanding a fee that matches the market value for a player who has impressed in his first season in England.

Brighton has a track record of developing young players and selling them for substantial profits. In Baleba’s position, the club has already identified potential successors if he leaves. Diego Gomez, 22, and Malick Yalcouye, 19, have emerged as candidates to step into Baleba’s role, while other midfield options such as Mats Wieffer, Matt O'Riley, Yasin Ayari and Jack Hinshelwood have shared minutes in midfield last season.

The situation highlights two trends in the transfer market. First, top clubs are willing to pay premium prices for a specific type of midfielder who can add physicality and energy to the base of the midfield. Second, Brighton’s selling strategy remains intact: strengthen the squad with young talent, nurture them, and sell at a premium when the right deal comes along. If Baleba moves, Brighton will rely on a well-stocked pipeline to maintain balance. For United, the move underlines pressure to refresh the squad inside a high-spend window while trying to manage cash flow and offload other players to fund new signings.

The Instagram interaction between Baleba and Leny Yoro over the weekend adds a layer of social signaling to the negotiations, illustrating how personal links can influence transfer talk even as clubs negotiate price. Either outcome would send a message about how quickly midfield markets move when a promising player appears ready for a big step up.

Highlights

The summer window still has weeks to unfold and a move for Baleba could still swing either way.