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News
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How Man Utd would line up with Carlos Baleba
Cameron Smith
- 15 Aug 2025 13:30 BST
- 4 min read
Analysis
Manchester United have earmarked Carlos Baleba as their priority transfer target for the remainder of the summer window as Ruben Amorim aims to bring a new midfielder to the club.
The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with an Old Trafford switch over the past few weeks and reports suggest he is eager to complete a move to the 13-time Premier League champions, despite their failure to qualify for European football last season.
Current ETV
Carlos Baleba
DM, M (C)
Carlos Baleba
DM, M (C)
Brighton
ETV Range
€49.8M - €60.9M
The Cameroon international made 40 appearances across all competitions for Brighton & Hove Albion last campaign, scoring four goals, and Fabian Hurzeler’s side are reluctant to sanction a sale after offloading Joao Pedro to Chelsea earlier this summer.
The Seagulls are expected to demand a transfer fee of at least €116.2 million (£100m) for Baleba, while some rumours state he could usurp Florian Wirtz (€125m) as the most expensive Premier League player ever if Man Utd complete a deal.
Although Brighton are determined to retain the 21-year-old this summer, Man Utd are pushing to finalise an agreement and a deal remains on the cards.
Below, FootballTransfers runs through how Baleba could fit in if he joins Man Utd before Transfer Deadline Day.
How Man Utd would line up with Carlos Baleba
Man Utd have been linked with a number of new goalkeepers so far this summer, including Gianluigi Donnarumma, Senne Lammens and Emiliano Martinez, but Andre Onana remains their first-choice as things stand.
Amorim has a plethora of central defenders to choose from, although Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez may establish themselves as the preferred options if they remain fully fit. Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven and Luke Shaw will also expect to receive significant minutes this term.
Diogo Dalot has been a regular starter for the Red Devils over the past few seasons, but Patrick Dorgu is set to nail down a starting berth at left wing-back, while Amad Diallo is likely to be deployed on the opposite flank.
Bruno Fernandes is set to be pushed into a deeper midfield role thanks to Man Utd’s summer transfer business and he would be partnered by Baleba in an extremely exciting double pivot.
Meanwhile, a new-look front three is expected to take shape at Old Trafford this season, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha deployed behind Benjamin Sesko.
Man Utd starting XI with Carlos Baleba
GK: Andre Onana
CB: Leny Yoro
CB: Matthijs de Ligt
CB: Lisandro Martinez
RWB: Amad Diallo
CM: Bruno Fernandes
CM: Carlos Baleba
LWB: Patrick Dorgu
CAM: Bryan Mbeumo
CAM: Matheus Cunha
ST: Benjamin Sesko
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