Manchester United are reportedly preparing to heat up their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.
A figure of £100million is being bandied around for the 21-year-old, who has spent two seasons as a regular starter for the Seagulls after arriving from Lille in 2023.
He still has three years remaining on his contract at the Amex, and the club holds the option of a 12-month extension on top of that, so the cards are firmly in Brighton’s hands.
But Fabrizio Romano reports that United are ready to intensify their move to snatch him and that, crucially, the player is keen to make the switch happen.
Brighton are not so willing to sell given that he had an impressive season, featuring 34 times in the Premier League and scoring three goals for Fabian Hurzeler’s side.
The Sussex club are used to turning around stars for a mind-blowing profit – think Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, and Joao Pedro – but are not in a position where they must sell.
Manchester United are reportedly preparing to step up their pursuit of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba
Ruben Amorim has mostly seen forwards come in but wants to add another midfielder
They finished eighth in the Premier League last time out, just five points off fifth-placed Newcastle, who secured Champions League football, and may feel they can kick on.
While they have sold important players in Pedro, Simon Adingra, and Pervis Estupinan, they have re-invested in the next crop who they hope can shock the league.
According to The Athletic, a move for the youngster is ‘improbable’ unless United are able to secure a series of lucrative sales before the window closes at the start of next month.
All the same, United have established contact with Brighton.
Following their dismal campaign last term, United have focused on bolstering their attack, recruiting Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko for a combined outlay of £207.2million.
Only Liverpool and Chelsea can boast a higher spend among the Premier League’s money-spinning corridors this summer.
One Manchester United fan has set up a GoFundMe page to try and raise funds for a Baleba bid, though in four days it has only raised £501 of its £120m target.
Ruben Amorim has a desire to improve their midfield ranks. United currently have Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, and Toby Collyer, while Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo can also be deployed in the central midfielder positions in their 3-4-3 formation.
Brighton (Fabian Hurzeler pictured) have become used to selling their key players each summer but do not want to let go of Baleba, who has years left on his contract
Baleba told The Sun that praise from players like Declan Rice, Matheus Cunha and Joelinton, as well as watching Man City star Rodri lift the Ballon D’or, has encouraged him to set his sights on the most prestigious individual award in football.
‘I want to win the Ballon D’or like Rodri,’ Baleba said. ‘His success has opened the door for midfielders like us to believe we can win the Ballon D’or one day.’
The youngster was born and raised in Douala – also the birthplace of four-time African Player of the Year Samuel Eto’o.
He has also cited former United midfielder Paul Pogba as one of his biggest inspirations.
