Manchester United have reportedly reached an agreement on personal terms with Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, as per The Athletic, and are expected to pursue his signing in the January transfer window.
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While United made significant strides in revamping their attacking lineup over the summer, they fell short in reinforcing other crucial areas of the squad. ..Continue Reading
On deadline day, the club announced the arrival of goalkeeper Lanne Sammens from Royal Antwerp, brought in to bolster Ruben Amorim’s options between the posts.
That signing marked only the fourth senior addition of the summer, which came as a surprise given the team’s underwhelming 2024/25 season.
Amorim’s side finished in the lower half of the Premier League table and suffered defeat in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
Talks with Brighton over Baleba took place during the summer, and although personal terms were agreed, United ultimately backed away due to the high valuation placed on the player.
Both Amorim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe were eager to bring Baleba to Old Trafford, but the financial demands proved difficult to justify.
Baleba, however, is believed to be enthusiastic about the move, and his profile fits the exact midfield blend United are lacking—technical ability paired with defensive strength.
Having missed out on a midfield signing during the summer, United are now under pressure to revisit negotiations and attempt to persuade Brighton to reconsider their stance.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano previously revealed that Kobbie Mainoo had requested a loan move.
Should he push again in January and the club agree to let him go, the need for midfield reinforcements will become even more urgent.
Baleba, described as “incredible” by Breaking The Lines, won’t come cheap. Brighton may need to lower their asking price for a deal to materialize, but United must prioritize this pursuit in the upcoming window.
If they fail to land Baleba, alternative midfield options will need to be explored swiftly.