Manchester United has contacted Brighton & Hove Albion via intermediaries to explore the transfer terms for signing midfielder Carlos Baleba.
The 21-year-old has three years remaining on his contract with Brighton and has emerged as one of the most talked-about young players in his position. Brighton has no intention of letting him leave this summer.
Nonetheless, external interest is growing, and United has become one of the many suitors, having expressed initial interest through intermediaries.
Brighton has made it clear that they hope to retain the Cameroonian international for at least another year – his contract with the club runs until 2028, with an option to extend for another year until 2029.
It is widely believed among all parties that completing a transfer now is unrealistic, especially if Manchester United ultimately finalizes the deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
Unless United secures significant funds through player sales, it will be difficult to complete high-cost signings in both key positions of attack and defensive midfield simultaneously.
However, these two positions are precisely the Red Devils' current key targets for reinforcement, and Baleba is one of the key targets in midfield.
The next few days will be crucial, as it will become clearer whether there will be substantial progress in the situation – United is continuing to strengthen the squad for new manager Ruben Amorim.
In addition to searching for a striker, Manchester United is also on the lookout for a box-to-box, highly mobile midfielder.
Currently, the squad includes Casemiro, Ugarte, and Toby Collyer, while Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo can also operate in central areas within Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 system.
Notably, the 21-year-old Collyer could be loaned out this summer, while the 33-year-old Casemiro is entering the final year of his contract.
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in the summer of 2023 for a transfer fee of £26 million (approximately $34.5 million), plus additional add-on clauses.
During his time in the Premier League, the Cameroonian international has gradually established himself as one of the most promising young midfielders in the league. Last season, he made 40 appearances across all competitions, contributing 4 goals and 2 assists, and has earned 7 caps for the Cameroonian national team.
