Baleba now open to Man Utd move, but timing complicates potential deal
Carlos Baleba is now more receptive to a move to Manchester United than he was in the summer, but the shift in attitude arrives at a moment when the club’s interest has cooled.
United sounded out Brighton over the midfielder last summer, largely to signal interest and test the player’s willingness rather than force a transfer. Brighton refused to negotiate and did not even place a formal valuation on Baleba at the time, though it later emerged the Seagulls privately rated him at well over £100 million.
United went forward with a midfield built around Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, while also planning a long-term rebuild in the centre of the pitch — a plan in which Baleba could have remained a strong candidate. But his form has dipped this season, and Brighton’s firm stance on a nine-figure valuation has further pushed United away.
Despite that, Baleba is understood to be more open to pushing for a move now than he was a few months ago. The timing is far from ideal: Brighton are not prepared to sell in January, and United have expanded their midfielder search ahead of the next transfer window.
United have monitored Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Yehor Yarmolyuk, and have also been linked with Morten Hjulmand, Angelo Stiller, Conor Gallagher, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Joao Gomes.
They are targeting two profiles, a defensive midfielder and a No.8 as they begin planning for a future beyond Casemiro and, eventually, Fernandes.
The search remains wide for now, though United aim to narrow and confirm their preferred midfield options before the end of the month.
