Manchester United are accelerating their summer rebuild ahead of a demanding season that will see them compete across four major competitions.
Michael Carrick’s side return to the Champions League and carry serious ambitions in domestic cup competitions, all while targeting a genuine title push against Arsenal and Manchester City.
United’s transformation under Carrick has been remarkable, with the manager replacing Ruben Amorim in January and steering the club back toward the upper reaches of the Premier League.
Hope has returned to Old Trafford, but midfield reinforcement remains a clear priority even after the £50m signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea this summer.
Santos, a 22-year-old who spent time on loan at Strasbourg in France, was hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig as a “one-man war machine in midfield,” suggesting real defensive bite.
However, Santos only started 13 times in the Premier League last year for Chelsea, and his attacking contribution remains limited, completing just 0.07 dribbles per game in those appearances.
A deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson also fell through earlier this month, leaving Carrick short of the creative and combative presence his midfield project demands this summer.
Now, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United hold a genuine interest in Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, with the Cameroonian keen on the move.
Romano stated clearly: “Carlos Baleba is a player who would be super keen on signing for Manchester United. Already, one year ago, Baleba wanted to go to Man United. It’s on Man United to decide if they want to return to talks with Brighton or not.”
Brighton previously quoted United a fee of £100m for Baleba, but a more affordable £75m deal could now be enough to secure the midfielder following a less consistent 2025/26 campaign.
Baleba’s numbers dipped this past season, with his touches, dribbles, ball recoveries, and defensive contributions all falling compared to his impressive 2024/25 Premier League displays.
Despite the drop in form, journalist Eduardo Hagn has previously hailed Baleba as a “monster” of a midfielder, suggesting the talent and physicality remain very much intact.
Across the 2024/25 campaign, Baleba registered three goals, one assist, and averaged 1.0 successful dribbles and 5.8 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, a level neither Santos nor Ederson has matched.
Unlike Santos, who lacks explosiveness in attacking transitions, Baleba offers the ability to drive forward, protect the backline, and recycle possession in a single dynamic package.
Ederson, meanwhile, is described as powerful and imposing but not as inherently progressive as Baleba, whose two-way effectiveness gives him a significant edge over the Atalanta man.
A £35m fee had been agreed for Ederson before that deal collapsed, meaning Baleba would cost considerably more, but the quality gap between the two options appears equally significant.
Baleba would complement Santos rather than duplicate him, offering the creative spark in midfield that Santos currently lacks alongside Kobbie Mainoo in United’s engine room.
His long-standing desire to join United, which dates back to transfer discussions in 2025, gives Carrick’s recruitment team a psychological advantage as negotiations with Brighton potentially resume.
United need another midfielder before the new season begins, and landing Baleba would represent a major statement of intent from INEOS and Carrick heading into a pivotal campaign.
If United can secure the deal at around £75m, they would not only fill a pressing gap but potentially land one of the most physical and well-rounded midfielders currently operating in English football.