The Brighton star admits the ‘noise’ affected his form as Manchester United weighed up a £100m move to replace Casemiro.
Brighton & Hove Albion sensation Carlos Baleba has finally opened up about the intense speculation that nearly saw him swap the Amex for Old Trafford last summer. Despite widespread reports that Manchester United had successfully agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old, the move collapsed when Brighton slapped a prohibitive £100 million price tag on the Cameroonian international.
Baleba, who has been a mainstay in the Seagulls’ midfield this season despite their struggles in 14th place, admits that the saga took a mental toll during the first half of the campaign.
“I Feel More Relaxed Now”
In a candid interview with Sky Sports, Baleba reflected on the whirlwind of rumors that linked him as the primary successor to Casemiro at United.
“I feel more relaxed now,” Baleba admitted. “The noise about me outside, I didn’t understand. I didn’t look on the websites. I’m more focused on me, myself and for my team-mates.”
The midfielder also noted that he is working on his “footballing maturity,” adding: “I need to enjoy more football, because when I play, I’m so serious that I want to do the right thing or to do the proper thing on the pitch.”
The Casemiro Factor: Summer 2026 Plans
With United officially confirming that Casemiro will depart Old Trafford this summer, the search for a defensive midfield anchor has reached a critical stage.
While Baleba remains a firm favorite of the United recruitment team, he is no longer the only name on the list. The club is reportedly monitoring a four-way battle for the engine room:
- Carlos Baleba (Brighton)
- Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
- Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United)
- Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Brighton’s Stance
Given Brighton’s precarious position just seven points above the relegation zone their leverage in negotiations may change come June. If the Seagulls fail to climb the table, United could revisit the Baleba deal at a more “realistic” price point than the £100m demanded last year.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
