Carlos Baleba’s Transfer Saga Reignites for Manchester United

Carlos Baleba’s camp has moved first. Again.

The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder’s representatives have contacted Manchester United to check whether the Premier League giants are ready to revive a move that collapsed a year ago, according to Fabrizio Romano.

A year on from the ‘dream’ move

Last summer, United made Baleba their No 1 midfield target. Personal terms? Done quickly. The 22-year-old had his path mapped out and, as Romano put it on his YouTube channel, was “pushing like crazy to go to Man Utd” in August 2025. It was the move he wanted; the shirt he imagined himself in.

Then Brighton named their price.

United walked away when the Seagulls demanded around £100million, a figure that instantly froze negotiations. Baleba stayed on the south coast, and the saga left a mark. His form dipped in the early months of last season, the weight of a collapsed transfer and a huge valuation hanging over him.

The upside for United? That valuation has dropped. Brighton’s asking price now sits at around £70m.

United’s midfield rebuild – and a familiar name

United have not stood still. They have already spent around £85m this summer on Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, reshaping the heart of their side. The plan is clear: stack the midfield with enough quality and depth to control games, rather than chase them.

They still want a third midfielder. A defensive presence to anchor the structure and allow the rest to breathe.

That is where Baleba has re-entered the conversation. Romano says the player’s camp has again made contact with Old Trafford, sounding out whether United are willing to come back to the table.

“Now, the name is out there again,” Romano explained. “Those close to the player have been in contact again with Man Utd to suggest the possibility to return for Baleba… they are trying to understand if Man Utd can return for the boy or not.”

This time, the push is very much coming from Baleba’s side. The desire has not faded. Romano describes the midfielder as “super keen” on the move; the dream of playing for United is still alive. The decision now sits firmly with the club.

Amorim gone, market wide open

The dynamics around United have shifted since the first chase. Back then, Baleba was a “top target” within a recruitment plan shaped with Ruben Amorim in mind. When United and Amorim decided in January not to continue discussions, that particular track went cold.

Now the picture is more fluid. An attempted move for Ederson has fallen through. Other options have been assessed. The need for another defensive midfielder remains.

United are scouring the market. Baleba is one of several names on a broad shortlist that reflects both ambition and realism.

• Manu Kone, now at Roma, is a serious candidate and, at this stage, the player United are making the most progress with.
• Sander Berge at Fulham is another possibility, a Premier League-proven option who fits the physical profile the club has often lacked in recent years.
• Eduardo Camavinga is admired, though prising him away from Real Madrid would be complicated and costly.
• Michael Carrick, heavily involved in the thinking, would love Aurelien Tchouameni, but the France international is expected to sign a new deal at Madrid, which has nudged United towards monitoring Camavinga’s situation more closely instead.
• Alex Scott, the Bournemouth midfielder, is also high on United’s list. Bournemouth, though, are determined to keep him for at least another season, and are in no mood to entertain bids.

Baleba or someone else?

So United stand at a familiar crossroads. A year ago, they had Baleba where they wanted him: personal terms agreed, player desperate to join, long-term target aligned with the club’s plans. The obstacle was Brighton’s price.

Now the fee has dropped, the player’s camp is knocking again, and United’s need for a defensive midfielder is as obvious as ever.

The recruitment team know Baleba well. He was “already high on the list one year ago,” as Romano reminded. The question is whether that conviction still burns as strongly, or whether the club’s gaze has shifted decisively towards Kone or another name.

Baleba is waiting. His agents are waiting. United, as so often in recent windows, must decide whether to finally act on a long-standing idea or let it drift away for good.