Old Trafford chiefs have identified Carlos Baleba as their primary target for a record-breaking summer acquisition. Reports confirm the club intend to sanction a £100 million offer. Fraser Fletcher reveals that Manchester United now view the Cameroon international as the ideal candidate to redefine their midfield engine room.
Manchester United Prioritise £100m Summer Swoop for Brighton Star
The club currently remain under Michael Carrick’s stewardship. While Chelsea maintain a lingering interest, United have moved ahead in the race. The player’s clear preference for a switch to Manchester has buoyed their efforts.
Brighton & Hove Albion have firmly rejected approaches this January. They have insisted on retaining their energetic midfielder to aid their own European push. Consequently, United’s hierarchy has shifted focus entirely to the summer of 2026. Baleba joined the Seagulls from Lille in 2023.
He has now communicated his enthusiasm for the transfer. The prospect of joining international teammate Bryan Mbeumo partly motivates him. Brighton expect a fee surpassing the figure United paid for Paul Pogba. However, the Red Devils appear ready to meet this valuation to secure their long-term midfield lynchpin.
Midfield Fragility Demands Heavy Investment
This prospective move directly addresses the glaring deficiencies in United’s engine room. These issues have plagued the team throughout the 2024/25 and 2025/26 campaigns. The team have frequently lacked dynamism centrally, despite sitting fourth in the Premier League table as of January 2026. Casemiro is approaching the end of his tenure. The waning physicality has often exposed the defence against high-energy opponents.
Baleba offers the precise attributes required to fix these structural flaws. His exceptional ball-carrying metrics and defensive combativeness would provide much-needed energy. Michael Carrick’s system desperately lacks these qualities. Financially, the club retain the capacity for such a significant outlay.
New Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) kick in for the 2026/27 season. This, combined with the departure of high-earning veterans, clears the necessary fiscal space. A £100 million investment in Baleba is more than just a transfer record; it serves as a necessary correction to restore elite physical standards to Manchester United’s midfield.
Nitish Bhan
Nitish is a football journalist with over 12 years of experience covering the Premier League and global football. He combines data-driven reporting with tactical analysis to deliver in-depth coverage for readers who want more than just match reports. A marketing graduate and lifelong football addict, Nitish has contributed to Sportskeeda,…