Manchester United have not completely ruled out the possibility of making a formal offer for Baleba this summer, though Brighton’s valuation of the player is considerably high.
United have not ruled out submitting an official bid for Baleba this summer. After already signing Cunha, Mbeumo and Šeško, the club has now turned their transfer focus to the midfield, with Baleba emerging as their top target in recent days.
Over the past few weeks, United have been exploring feasible options to sign Baleba and have held talks through intermediaries. Sources indicate that personal terms between United and Baleba are not expected to be an obstacle. However, Brighton have made their stance very clear: they have no interest in selling Baleba this summer and would prefer to approve the deal next summer instead.
Brighton’s reluctance to sell Baleba this summer stems partly from their belief that his performances in the upcoming season will further boost his value. Currently, the club’s valuation of Baleba is on a par with the £115 million they received when selling Caicedo to Chelsea. United are assessing the possibility of completing the deal this summer, aware that other clubs are also showing strong interest in the player.
Ineos may still test Brighton’s stance by making a formal offer, especially if Brighton gives any positive signals. The completion of the deal depends on United’s ability to complete their planned player sales, but the club also has sufficient budget to finalize the transfer while selling players.
Manchester United’s hierarchy is planning ahead for the future, with several players expected to leave next summer, potentially including Bruno Fernandes. This could help United complete a signing this summer. It is understood that Brighton have not yet provided a specific asking price for Baleba to United, but given the player’s huge potential and his contract situation, Brighton’s valuation is expected to be very high.
Amorim believes Baleba is the best candidate to strengthen the team’s midfield. Despite the significant difficulty in completing the deal, the manager wants to sign a midfielder with strong ball-winning ability and athleticism. He has urged United’s Director of Football Wilcox and Head of Recruitment Vieira to make an offer immediately, even if it means breaking the club’s summer transfer budget, as Amorim hopes to demonstrate the club’s ambition through this move.
As a result, United have not ruled out the possibility, and they may even increase their offer before the transfer window closes.
