Man United fan launches GoFundMe to help club sign Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba

A Manchester United supporter has launched a GoFundMe campaign in a tongue-in-cheek attempt to raise £120 million to help the club sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.

According to The Athletic, United have made initial contact with Brighton via intermediaries, identifying the 21-year-old Cameroon international as their top midfield target.

Baleba made 34 Premier League appearances last season, scoring three goals in a breakout campaign for the Seagulls, who finished outside the European qualification places.

United’s pursuit of the midfielder comes amid reported financial constraints following big-money arrivals, including Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who cost the club a combined £133.5 million.

The club’s limited sales activity during the window has further complicated their ability to meet financial fair play regulations.

In response, a fan took to GoFundMe in a bid to crowdsource the funds required to finance Baleba’s transfer. The page, titled with urgency and repetition—“We need this to happen”—has so far raised just £5 from a single donor.

For context, the most successful fundraiser in the platform’s history, “America’s Food Fund,” raised just under £34 million.

Meanwhile, United are set to complete the signing of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, which will push their total summer spending close to £200 million — the third-highest in the Premier League behind Liverpool and Chelsea.

Once Sesko is officially confirmed, United’s new leadership duo, sporting director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada, are expected to prioritise midfield reinforcements.

However, significant new additions may depend on the sale of players considered surplus to requirements, including Alejandro Garnacho, who manager Ruben Amorim reportedly no longer sees in his long-term plans.