Carlos Baleba to Man Utd: Transfer twist for €100m Brighton midfield ace

Robin Bairner

5 Dec 2025 07:00 GMT
4 min read

Carlos Baleba, Man Utd, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Carlos Baleba is one of the midfield options high up on the list of Manchester United ahead of the January transfer window.

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The Red Devils made a half-hearted effort to sign Baleba from the Seagulls at the end of the transfer window, but having been told a polite no when they asked about signing the Cameroon star, they rapidly backed off.

Ruben Amorim’s side remains in need of additional cover in the heart of the park, though. Casemiro looks certain to end his Man Utd career at the end of the season when he becomes a free agent, while both Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte have failed to convince the Portuguese manager of their worth.

Current ETV

Carlos Baleba

DM, M (C)

Brighton

Carlos Baleba

DM, M (C)

Brighton

ETV Range

€60.2M - €73.6M

Baleba, meanwhile, is thought to be Amorim’s dream signing. His capacity for relentlessly covering ground is something United lack, while his ball-winning capabilities are worth of a replacement for Casemiro.

The Red Devils’ prospects of making a deal, though, have been hit by the news that Bayern Munich are also tracking the 21-year-old.

Bayern are ready to enter the transfer race to snap him up as a long-term replacement for Leon Goretzka. Just as Man Utd are set to say goodbye to Casemiro via a free transfer, the Bundesliga giants are set to do likewise for the Germany international and need to find a physically strong box-to-box replacement.

In a more positive development for Amorim, it is reported that Brighton might be willing to listen to offers of around €85m for Baleba. The former Lille star’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €66.9m – a career-high figure.

Amorim ‘angry’ after West Ham: Does Baleba solve that problem?

Amorim’s reaction to Man Utd’s 1-1 Premier League draw with West Ham United on Thursday underscored the club’s need for a proactive defensive midfielder in the mould of Baleba.

“We try to defend far from the goal all the time. Their goal came from a long ball. They won the second ball against three guys, so we need to be better,” the manager complained, having previously admitted he was “frustrated” and “angry” with the result.

United find themselves eighth in the Premier League table, locked on 22 points with Baleba’s Brighton and misfiring Liverpool.

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