Man Utd to bid £50m for £100m rated midfielder with ‘private phrases agreed’

Manchester United are already looking ahead to the future, with one transfer target understood to be personally interested in a move to Old Trafford

Manchester United are reportedly contemplating a £50million offer for Carlos Baleba. The Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder has been rumoured to be on his way to Old Trafford for the majority of the past year.

Ruben Amorim was believed to be interested in the Cameroonian midfielder, but after the club had splashed out over £200million on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, they chose to put their interest on hold. However, with Casemiro departing at the end of the season and Manuel Ugarte failing to impress, United may be ready to reignite their pursuit of Baleba.

It’s thought the Reds ‘broadly agreed personal terms’ with the 22-year-old when they first expressed interest in him. Bearing this in mind, they could challenge Brighton’s determination with a £50m bid.

The Athletic understands that’s the figure United might initiate their approach with. This season hasn’t been the smoothest for Baleba.

He has been taken off 15 times this season by Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler. He has only managed to play the full 90 minutes on three occasions this campaign, including their recent 3-0 home triumph over Chelsea on Tuesday.

United also closely monitored his performances in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, where he made five appearances. He was a key player for Cameroon, who made it to the quarter-finals of the tournament before being defeated 2-0 by hosts Morocco.

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One aspect which could prove problematic for United is the asking price. When the Reds initially showed interest in him, Brighton made it abundantly clear they would demand £100m, a similar demand to the transfer fee Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo in the summer of 2023.

During the summer, it was understood United were prepared to stretch as far as £75m to secure his services at Old Trafford. Now it’s believed the club are reluctant to exceed £50m, which may not sit well with the Seagulls.

The Reds have also been connected with Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson and Newcastle United pair Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. However, the Premier League quartet would command substantial fees.

United are also understood to be seeking two central midfield players to replace the gap left by Casemiro. They may require a third should Ugarte leave the club, with the Uruguayan recently being linked with Juventus and Ajax.

These talks may also hinge on who occupies the dugout at Old Trafford come the season’s end. Michael Carrick has lifted the Reds from 7th to third since assuming control of the club, with United ranking amongst the top performers of 2026.

Nevertheless, the Reds remain undecided on whether he represents the right candidate for the role and will reach their verdict at the campaign’s conclusion.