Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is very keen on joining Manchester United in 2026 after positive conversations this summer, GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Fabrizio Romano has revealed.
The Old Trafford side targeted a move for the Cameroonian midfielder before the campaign, but were ultimately priced out of stepping up their interest, with Brighton’s demands reaching around £115m.
While Baleba’s arrival looks unlikely to happen mid-season, Romano suggests United could revisit the deal after the campaign, with the 21-year-old still earmarked as a priority target for the club.
United held talks with Baleba and his representatives in August before opting to pursue goalkeeper Senne Lammens as their final signing of the summer transfer window.
Carlos Baleba ‘Priority Target’ for Man United
Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, revealed that Baleba’s move to Man United remains difficult unless Brighton change their stance on the midfielder:
“It was August, here on the channel. I told you, Man United want Carlos Baleba. Baleba wants to go to Man United. The conversation with the player and his agents was very good, but Brighton, at that time in August, didn’t want to sell the player.
“In January it’s likely to be a difficult deal, the Baleba one, because Brighton insist on not selling the player.
“But for the summer, unless the stance changes for January, we have to see what happens, but for the summer, let’s say for 2026, for sure, Manchester United see Carlos Baleba as a priority target.
“I gave you a video last summer saying Baleba will remain a target if the deal doesn’t happen now. Man United want to insist on the deal in 2026.
“And that remains the case. Man United still want Baleba. Baleba is still very keen on a move to Manchester United, even more so now they are doing very well in the Premier League.”
Baleba has featured in all of Brighton’s 14 games in the Premier League and Carabao Cup this season, making 12 starts under head coach Fabian Hurzeler.
The midfielder, who joined the Seagulls from Lille in the summer of 2023, is under contract until June 2028, with Brighton holding an option to extend it by a further year.
Man United are expected to welcome a new midfielder in 2026 and have also earmarked Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson as another option.
According to GIVEMESPORT sources, the Red Devils are scouting the former Newcastle midfielder among other potential targets but have yet to make any concrete moves regarding his Old Trafford move.
