Brighton unlikely to cash-in on Manchester United target Carlos Baleba
After rebuffing an approach from Manchester United over the summer for Carlos Baleba, Brighton and Hove Albion remain steadfast in their commitment to keep the 21-year-old Cameroonian international at the Amex Stadium.
The versatile and promising talent has been a cornerstone of Brighton’s squad since his arrival from Lille in 2023. He combines defensive tenacity with progressive passing and makes it look so easy that it becomes easy to forget that he’s yet 21. His integration under new manager Fabian Hurzeler has remained measured, with a subdued start to the 2025-26 season potentially influenced by external speculation. His boss himself acknowledged that United’s interest may have momentarily distracted the player.
Despite this, Baleba remains settled at Brighton, with claims of his dissatisfaction dismissed as unfounded. On a recent talkSPORT podcast, Alex Crook suggested the fact that the Seagulls will not let him leave the club come what may.
“talkSPORT has been told Brighton have no plans to cash in on United target Carlos Baleba this side of next summer.”
“Suggestions the 21-year-old is unhappy on the Sussex coast and is pushing for a transfer have also been played down.”
No Baleba, then?
With the summer window’s budget largely expended on forward-line acquisitions. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko cost over £200 million. January resources remain constrained. Amorim’s tactical blueprint demands versatile midfielders capable of fluid transitions, yet Baleba’s unavailability forces a postponement of such enhancements.
In the case that United cannot land the former Lille man, the alternatives have to share similar profiles. The club missed out on Jude Bellingham in 2020 and that sense of regret still remains. His brother, Jobe, though, gives the Red Devils an opportunity to mend their mistakes, and get the other Bellingham. Time will tell if Dortmund might want to sell.
The best alternative has to be Adam Wharton. 21-year-old; metronomic passing accuracy; offers defensive solidity and forward surges that could stabilise United’s engine room. Both prospects, potentially attainable at fees below Baleba’s inflated tag, would provide immediate impact while nurturing long-term growth.
Now, nature forces United to approach the January window with careful planning. Finding a player of similar quality to that of Baleba is essential to keep the team’s progress going in the 2025-26 season, so that Amorim’s plans lead to real results on the field. Let’s see what winter has for us.