Manchester United close in on cheaper Carlos Baleba deal

Manchester United are ready to revive their interest in Carlos Baleba after Brighton changed stance and opened the door to a summer sale at a far lower price than a year ago.

The midfielder was valued at around £100 million last summer, but Brighton are now prepared to negotiate, having already lined up a possible replacement.

The Seagulls have been scouting Nordsjaelland’s Ghana international Caleb Yirenkyi, who is also attracting attention from Arsenal and Bournemouth. Brighton’s long-standing model of developing players and moving them on after three seasons makes this summer a natural exit point for Baleba, who arrived from Lille in 2023.

Baleba’s inconsistency has contributed to the reduced valuation. The 22-year-old has been substituted at half-time seven times this season for club and country, yet he still holds an important role with 19 league starts for Fabian Hürzeler’s side.

Off the pitch, Baleba is pushing himself toward the next step. He is determined to reach the Champions League, has improved his English and brought his family from Cameroon to support him through a challenging campaign after a breakout 34‑game Premier League season last year.