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- 33 minutes ago
Carlos Baleba 'one step closer' to Man Utd after World Cup heartbreak
Tom Weber
- Updated: 14 Nov 2025 18:57 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Cameroon's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup has boosted Manchester United's chances of signing Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, according to influencer Mark Goldbridge.
The Indomitable Lions suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to DR Congo on Thursday, officially ending their hopes of reaching FIFA's expanded showpiece in the USA, Canada and Mexico next year.
DR Congo will now play Nigeria in the World Cup playoff, while record African appearance holders Cameroon will have to watch the tournament from afar.
Current ETV
Carlos Baleba
DM, M (C)
Brighton
Carlos Baleba
DM, M (C)
Brighton
ETV Range
€60.2M - €73.6M
Man Utd star Bryan Mbeumo was crestfallen after the game, while teammate Andre Onana, currently on loan at Trabzonspor, has had to face questions over his goalkeeping.
Also in action for Cameroon was Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, a priority target for the Red Devils heading into 2026. Man Utd are expected to try to sign him again after failing to secure his signature in the summer.
Goldbridge: World Cup heartbreak will help Man Utd
According to Man Utd influencer Mark Goldbridge, Cameroon's loss could be the Red Devils' gain next summer as they will receive Baleba's undivided attention, putting him "one step closer" to the Manchester club.
The young midfielder was keen on the move this year, and the failure to secure a transfer to Old Trafford has negatively impacted his performances for Brighton.
It is clear that Baleba has had his head turned by Man Utd, and Goldbridge believes that not having a World Cup distraction will give the Red Devils ample opportunity to push through a transfer next summer.
"We know we spoke to Baleba and his agent in the last summer transfer window," Goldbridge explained. "We've effectively got a whole summer to negotiate the Baleba deal now. We don't have to worry about World Cup camps, we don't have to worry about Cameroon getting to the quarter finals of the World Cup.
"Effectively, when the Premier League season ends, this could be another [Matheus] Cunha basically. We could start working on this deal way before the summer transfer window. Get it done 30 June, get it in this financial year, get a midfielder in.
"We know what Man Utd are like. They're stubborn, they also don't like deals that are difficult, they like to negotiate for a long time. We saw that with Mbeumo, and we've seen it in previous years. We like to long negotiate.
"They'll be rubbing their hands together at Baleba because as long as Baleba keeps saying he wants to come to Man Utd, which he will because no one else is going to go for him at the moment the form he is in, Man Utd can spend May, June, July just negotiating, not having to worry about the World Cup."
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