€115m star speaks to Bruno Fernandes about Man Utd transfer

11 Jun 2026 09:52 BST | 4 min read

Bruno Fernandes, Man Utd, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba has reportedly spoken to Bruno Fernandes regarding a possible move to Manchester United this summer.

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The Cameroon international was heavily linked with an Old Trafford switch last year and it’s understood that personal terms were fully agreed before the deal collapsed due to Brighton’s asking price of over €115 million.

Current ETV

Carlos Baleba

DM, M (C)

Brighton

Carlos Baleba

DM, M (C)

Brighton

ETV Range

€59.4M - €72.6M

Man Utd were unwilling to match that fee and they ultimately backed away from transfer negotiations, with the Red Devils opting against signing a new midfielder entirely.

However, the 13-time Premier League champions have already finalised their first midfield signing of 2026 in the form of Atalanta star Ederson, and they remain in the market for at least one more option as they look to replace Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte.

It has been reported that West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes has emerged as a priority candidate for the role, with Man Utd officials accepting defeat in their pursuit of Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, but the club also remain interested in Alex Scott, Aurelien Tchouameni and Adam Wharton.

Baleba is still on their radar too and The Sun have now reported that he has been in contact with the aforementioned Fernandes and Matheus Cunha regarding a possible move to Man Utd during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Carlos Baleba has spoken to Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha over Man Utd move

Baleba reportedly spoke to both Fernandes and Cunha after Man Utd’s 3-0 win at the AMEX Stadium on the final day of the Premier League season, with Baleba in talks with the latter “at length” in the tunnel following the match.

The Cameroon star also interacted with Patrick Dorgu in the mixed zone after the game, while it’s understood that he is close with former Lille team-mate Leny Yoro and international colleague Bryan Mbeumo.

Man Utd are yet to decide whether to seriously pursue a deal for Baleba this summer, however it has been reported that Brighton are willing to lower their €115m asking price after his difficult 2025-26 season, and a move could therefore take place before Deadline Day.

Despite this, Brighton are unlikely to make a deal easy for Man Utd, especially as they could be set to lose fellow key star Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham Hotspur as former boss Roberto De Zerbi chases a reunion with the Netherlands defender.

The Seagulls have already lost James Milner to retirement this summer, but they have beaten Chelsea and Newcastle United to the signing of exciting winger Zadok Yohanna from AIK, who become their first signing of the window on 6 June.

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