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Manchester United target not for sale this summer but could fetch record fee next year
Brighton are willing to cash in on Manchester United target Carlos Baleba – but not until next summer, talkSPORT understands. Man United have made enquiries about a potential move for 21-year-old midfielder Baleba. Brighton are not willing to sell Baleba until next summerGetty It means Man United are going to have to wait to make their moveGetty However, senior Seagulls sources have made it clear that he is not for sale in this transfer window. The Brighton hierarchy believe Baleba can be worth as much as Moises Caicedo who they sold to Chelsea. Caicedo departed the club for a British record fee of £115million. It means United could end up having to break the transfer record themselves to bring Baleba to Old Trafford, having just spent £74m on striker Benjamin Sesko. Florian Wirtz’s move to Liverpool for £116m is currently the highest fee ever paid in the Premier League. Baleba joined Brighton in the summer of 2023 from French side Lille in a deal worth around £23million. He has since gone on to make 77 appearances for the Seagulls, with 61 of those games coming in the top-flight. Last season in the Premier League, Baleba had the seventh most ball recoveries, winning possession back 197 times in 34 games. The midfielder also averaged over two tackles per game, which saw him end the campaign as one of the best tacklers in the division. But Man United are going to have to wait to make a move for him as they go in search of a ball winner after focusing their recruitment on forwards so far this summer. Baleba has become one of the best defensive midfielders in the leagueGetty Baleba had some impressive ball-winning stats last season in the top-flight Driving a profit Brighton know how to negotiate a high fee for their players, selling stars in massive deals in recent years. It leaves Man United knowing they’re likely to have to pay towards or even above £100m for Baleba, who was signed by the Seagulls for around £23m. Over the past few seasons, Brighton have sold Caicedo for £115m after signing him for just £4.5m a couple of years earlier. They have also let Marc Cucurella, Alexis Mac Allister and Yves Bissouma all leave for major profits. The Seagulls signed Cucurella for £15m and sold him for £60m, Mac Allister joined for £7m and they sold him for £35m and Bissouma arrived for a fee of £14.5m and they sold him for £35m. Joao Pedro was sold to Chelsea this summer for £60m too, which is double what they paid for the Brazilian forward. Amorim will have one eye on the future when it comes to midfield recruitsGetty Looking to the future Man United will have to wait until next summer to sign Baleba if they go ahead with any potential deal after their enquiry. However, that may work into the Red Devils’ hands as Amorim appears to seek a replacement for Casemiro. The 33-year-old Brazilian’s contract at Old Trafford expires in 2026 and United will lose his ball-winning capabilities. Casemiro is one of a limited number of midfielders who averaged more tackles per game than Baleba last season. But should he depart at the end of his current deal, it would leave only Manuel Ugarte as a more defensive option in midfield. So, Baleba could be seen as the player to step into the veteran’s shoes if United continue their interest next year.
Brighton are willing to cash in on Manchester United target Carlos Baleba – but not until next summer, talkSPORT understands.
Man United have made enquiries about a potential move for 21-year-old midfielder Baleba.
However, senior Seagulls sources have made it clear that he is not for sale in this transfer window.
The Brighton hierarchy believe Baleba can be worth as much as Moises Caicedo who they sold to Chelsea.
Caicedo departed the club for a British record fee of £115million.
It means United could end up having to break the transfer record themselves to bring Baleba to Old Trafford, having just spent £74m on striker Benjamin Sesko.
Florian Wirtz’s move to Liverpool for £116m is currently the highest fee ever paid in the Premier League.
Baleba joined Brighton in the summer of 2023 from French side Lille in a deal worth around £23million.
He has since gone on to make 77 appearances for the Seagulls, with 61 of those games coming in the top-flight.
Last season in the Premier League, Baleba had the seventh most ball recoveries, winning possession back 197 times in 34 games.
The midfielder also averaged over two tackles per game, which saw him end the campaign as one of the best tacklers in the division.
But Man United are going to have to wait to make a move for him as they go in search of a ball winner after focusing their recruitment on forwards so far this summer.
Driving a profit
Brighton know how to negotiate a high fee for their players, selling stars in massive deals in recent years.
It leaves Man United knowing they’re likely to have to pay towards or even above £100m for Baleba, who was signed by the Seagulls for around £23m.
Over the past few seasons, Brighton have sold Caicedo for £115m after signing him for just £4.5m a couple of years earlier.
They have also let Marc Cucurella, Alexis Mac Allister and Yves Bissouma all leave for major profits.
The Seagulls signed Cucurella for £15m and sold him for £60m, Mac Allister joined for £7m and they sold him for £35m and Bissouma arrived for a fee of £14.5m and they sold him for £35m.
Joao Pedro was sold to Chelsea this summer for £60m too, which is double what they paid for the Brazilian forward.
Looking to the future
Man United will have to wait until next summer to sign Baleba if they go ahead with any potential deal after their enquiry.
However, that may work into the Red Devils’ hands as Amorim appears to seek a replacement for Casemiro.
The 33-year-old Brazilian’s contract at Old Trafford expires in 2026 and United will lose his ball-winning capabilities.
Casemiro is one of a limited number of midfielders who averaged more tackles per game than Baleba last season.
But should he depart at the end of his current deal, it would leave only Manuel Ugarte as a more defensive option in midfield.
So, Baleba could be seen as the player to step into the veteran’s shoes if United continue their interest next year.
