Manchester United’s hopes of signing Brighton & Hove Albion’s star midfielder Carlos Baleba have been dealt a significant blow, with cross-city rivals Manchester City emerging as fierce competitors for the 21-year-old’s signature. The Red Devils, under manager Ruben Amorim, have identified the Cameroonian international as the ideal box-to-box midfielder to bolster their squad, having made contact with Brighton through intermediaries to explore a potential deal. However, Brighton’s staggering £104 million (€120 million) asking price, coupled with Baleba’s contentment to remain at the Amex Stadium for another season, has made the transfer increasingly unlikely before the September 1 deadline. Manchester City’s interest, driven by Pep Guardiola’s long-standing admiration for Baleba, further complicates United’s ambitions, setting the stage for a high-stakes transfer battle.[](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-utd-carlos-baleba-transfer-35695199)[](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-united-carlos-baleba-brighton-35694841)[](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/man-utd-transfer-news-baleba-b1242044.html)
Baleba, who joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 for £23.2 million, has rapidly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most promising midfielders, with 34 appearances, three goals, and one assist in the 2024-25 season. His relentless energy, tackling prowess, and ability to intercept passes have drawn comparisons to former Brighton star Moises Caicedo, with Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana praising Baleba’s “ruthless” approach during their time together at Lille. United’s interest stems from Amorim’s need for a dynamic No. 6 to complement Bruno Fernandes in his 3-4-2-1 system, especially with doubts over Manuel Ugarte’s form and Casemiro’s age. However, Brighton’s chief executive Paul Barber has firmly downplayed speculation, stating at a fans’ forum that no direct contact has been made by United and emphasizing the club’s desire to retain Baleba for another year.[](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-united-carlos-baleba-brighton-32216234)[](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-united-carlos-baleba-brighton-35688416)
Manchester City’s entry into the race adds a layer of complexity, as Guardiola sees Baleba as a long-term asset to refresh their midfield alongside recent signings like Tijjani Reijnders. Brighton’s reputation as tough negotiators, combined with a 20% sell-on clause owed to Lille for any fee above €30 million, means only a monumental offer would pry Baleba away this summer. United’s financial constraints, exacerbated by their imminent £74 million signing of RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, make the £104 million valuation a near-impossible hurdle without significant player sales. Players like Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, and Antony, currently deemed surplus and training separately, could be offloaded to raise funds, with Chelsea in talks for Garnacho, but time is running short.[](https://m.allfootballapp.com/news/Headline/Man-Utd-suffer-Carlos-Baleba-transfer-blow-as-rivals-eye-up-%25C2%25A3104m-Brighton-star/4012538)[](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/45919870/brighton-value-baleba-120m-amid-man-united-man-city-interest-sources)
The situation leaves United at a crossroads as they aim to recover from a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. Baleba’s humility and work ethic, highlighted by his comments last year dismissing transfer speculation to focus on development, make him an attractive fit for Amorim’s vision, but Brighton’s stance and City’s interest dim the prospects of a move. Former United star Rio Ferdinand has urged the club to “break the bank” for Baleba, labeling him a midfielder who can “do it all,” but a transfer seems more feasible in 2026 when Brighton may be more open to negotiations. As United prepare to unveil Sesko and face Fiorentina in a pre-season friendly, the dream of pairing Baleba with Fernandes in midfield remains elusive, with the coming days critical to determining whether United can defy the odds.[](https://www.transferfeed.com/transfers/carlos-baleba-brighton-hove-albion-manchester-united/286372)[](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-united-transfer-news-live-32209123)
