Bryan Mbeumo quietly pushing Carlos Baleba towards Manchester United switch

Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo is reportedly making quiet efforts to convince Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba to join him at Old Trafford.

Sources close to the Cameroon national team indicate that Mbeumo and Baleba have developed a close bond during the ongoing World Cup qualifying campaign, with the 26-year-old United winger said to be playing a “big brother” role to the 21-year-old midfielder.

Mbeumo, who joined United in a £71 million summer move, has been sharing with Baleba what it means to play for a global football powerhouse, encouraging him to consider a switch to Old Trafford despite Brighton’s reluctance to sell.

United are understood to be keeping a close eye on Baleba’s progress, with the Seagulls expected to demand at least £100 million for their prized midfielder.

Reports suggest Mbeumo has been privately urging Baleba to make the move, though a potential transfer is more likely to materialise next summer.

United boss Rúben Amorim is in search of a dynamic midfielder to complement captain Bruno Fernandes in his evolving 3-4-2-1 setup.

Mbeumo’s influence appears to extend beyond club interests.

The former Brentford star was seen consoling Baleba after Cameroon’s shock 1-0 loss to Cape Verde in September, a defeat that eventually propelled the island nation to their first-ever World Cup qualification.

Mbeumo has quickly become a key figure for United, scoring his first Premier League goal in the 3-2 win over Burnley, and is said to have rejected offers from Tottenham and Arsenal in favour of joining Amorim’s rebuilding project.

For now, Baleba remains a Brighton asset, part of the club’s celebrated scouting model that once unearthed stars like Moises Caicedo and Yves Bissouma.

But with United intent on strengthening their midfield, Mbeumo’s quiet lobbying could soon shape another high-profile transfer battle between the Premier League’s elite.