Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba has taken matters into his own hands by contacting Manchester United directly about a potential summer transfer.
According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Baleba’s representatives have reached out to United to determine whether Michael Carrick’s side have genuine interest in signing him.
Romano revealed on his YouTube channel that the 22-year-old Cameroonian was pushing hard to join Man Utd last summer, only for Brighton to successfully resist any approach and retain his services.
The player is described as being ‘super keen’ on securing a move to Old Trafford, reflecting a strong personal desire to join the 20-time English champions.
United’s interest in Baleba is not new, having made an attempt to sign the midfielder last summer after being impressed by his promising performances during the 2024/25 campaign.
However, following Ruben Amorim’s departure from Old Trafford, the Red Devils cooled their interest in the Brighton defensive midfielder before rekindling focus on the position this summer.
Manchester United have been active in revamping their midfield this window, driven by Casemiro’s departure as a free agent and Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury leaving a significant void in the squad.
The club has already moved to address those concerns by purchasing Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, though United reportedly still want an additional defensive midfielder.
Baleba is valued at around £47m by Transfermarkt and has entered the final two years of his current contract at the Amex Stadium, giving Brighton a strong negotiating position.
The Seagulls have a well-established reputation for playing hardball in transfer negotiations when it comes to their prized assets, and they are expected to demand a substantial fee for the Cameroonian.
Baleba is a left-footed defensive midfielder known for his pace, physical strength, aerial ability, and capacity to make powerful surging runs from deep positions.
He also possesses an eye for long-range passing and contributes efficiently in defensive duties, making him an attractive profile for a United side seeking balance and athleticism in the engine room.
Despite enduring a difficult 2025/26 campaign in which inconsistent performances cost him a regular place in Fabian Hurzeler’s starting eleven, Baleba remains widely regarded as a highly talented player with significant upside.
Whether United move beyond initial contact to make a concrete offer for Baleba remains to be seen, but the player’s clear desire for the transfer adds genuine momentum to the story.