Manchester United have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, leaving rivals Liverpool and Tottenham “lagging behind” in the pursuit of the Cameroonian powerhouse.
After a quiet January window where United’s hierarchy prioritised long-term stability over a quick fix for Ruben Amorim, the club is now ready to strike. The 22-year-old midfielder has been a primary target since last summer, and despite Brighton’s initial “firm no,” the door has finally swung open.
1. The “Caicedo Discount”: From £115m to £70m
Brighton are famous for their tough negotiations, originally pointing suitors toward the British record fee of £115m paid by Chelsea for Moisés Caicedo. However, reports from Teamtalk suggest the Seagulls are softening their stance.
United have been handed “major encouragement,” with an overall package worth £70 million now expected to be enough to secure Baleba’s services this summer. A £30m drop from the original valuation makes the deal far more viable for United’s new PSR-compliant financial strategy.
2. Why United Are “Pole Position” Over Liverpool
While Liverpool and Spurs both admire the midfielder, United hold two distinct advantages:
- Persistence: United have laid the groundwork for over a year, maintaining contact even when Brighton refused to sell in January.
- The “Casemiro Successor” Profile: United scouts see Baleba as the most “stylistically similar” successor to Casemiro. His front-foot defending and athleticism are viewed as the perfect engine to sit behind Kobbie Mainoo.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s interest is reportedly cooled by their urgent need to prioritise a replacement for Mohamed Salah, leaving United with a clear run at the Brighton man.
3. Baleba by the Numbers: The 2025/26 Season
Baleba has been an ever-present force for Brighton this term, proving he can handle the physical demands of the Premier League:
| Competition | Appearances | Starts | Yellow Cards | Minutes |
| Premier League | 22 | 18 | 5 | 1,192′ |
| Cup Competitions | 4 | 3 | 2 | 229′ |
| Total | 26 | 21 | 7 | 1,421′ |
The Verdict: A No-Brainer for INEOS?
With Casemiro and Jadon Sancho’s departures already freeing up massive wage headroom, the path is clear for Michael Carrick to receive his first major marquee signing. Baleba offers the power, poise, and Premier League experience that United’s midfield has lacked during its “stodgy” recent run.
Filepe Junior is a football writer tracking La Liga transfers, covering major signings, squad planning, and player movements across Spanish clubs.
