Brighton & Hove Albion have placed an enormous €120 million (£104 million) price tag on their star midfielder Carlos Baleba, a move that is set to significantly complicate Manchester United‘s reported interest in the 21-year-old.
This massive valuation is part of a proven and highly successful sales strategy from Brighton, who have a history of demanding huge, often record-breaking, fees for their top midfield talents, most notably selling Moisés Caicedo to Chelsea for £115 million. The high price for Baleba is also reportedly inflated by a 20% sell-on clause owed to his former club, Lille.
While Manchester United’s need for a top-class defensive midfielder is well-known, the feasibility of this particular move is now in serious doubt. According to ESPN, the Red Devils have not yet made direct contact with Brighton to open negotiations for a transfer.
A potential deal this summer is further complicated by the player’s own reported wishes. Baleba is said to be happy to stay with the Seagulls for the 2025-26 season to continue his rapid development, before seriously considering a major transfer next summer.
Furthermore, United’s ability to fund another blockbuster move has been reduced. The club has only just committed to an €85 million deal to sign striker Benjamin Šeško, a move that takes their total summer spending well over the £200 million mark.
For a transfer for Baleba to become possible, Manchester United would likely need to accelerate the sales of their unwanted players, such as Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho, to generate the necessary funds.
In conclusion, while the interest from Manchester United appears to be genuine, a move for Carlos Baleba this summer looks highly unlikely. Brighton’s astronomical asking price, combined with the player’s own desire to stay for another year, likely makes this a transfer to watch for the future, rather than the present.