Manchester United retain Carlos Baleba agreement amid summer midfield overhaul plans
Manchester United retain a verbal agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba over a potential summer transfer, according to reports from transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano. The deal, however, is said to hinge on three key factors: the appointment of a permanent manager at Old Trafford, the club's finalised summer budget, and Brighton's willingness to sell.
Romano confirmed that an agreement in principle on personal terms was first established between Baleba and United in August 2025, with the player reportedly keen on the move. Brighton blocked a transfer at that time, and a similar situation occurred in the January 2026 window, leading United to postpone their pursuit until this upcoming summer. The journalist states that this existing agreement "remains valid" for 2026 and that Baleba is "still very keen" on joining the Red Devils.
The potential fee for the 22-year-old Cameroon international is now speculated to be in the region of £50 million, a significant reduction from the £100 million-plus figure that was deemed prohibitive last summer. United's heavy expenditure in the 2025 window, which included deals for Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha, prevented a move for Baleba at that time and left the squad short of midfield reinforcements.
Baleba, who joined Brighton from Lille in 2023, has experienced a dip in form this season after a promising start to his Premier League career. Despite this, he remains on United's shortlist as the club plans a midfield overhaul, with at least two additions targeted for the engine room. The club's return to the Champions League next season has increased the urgency for greater depth and quality in multiple positions.
Other midfielders, including Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, and Newcastle's Elliot Anderson, have also been linked with moves to Old Trafford as alternatives or additional signings. Romano notes that Baleba "remains under consideration" by both United's scouting department and key figures within the club.
The move's progression is currently in a holding pattern, awaiting clarity on the managerial situation following Erik ten Hag's departure and the subsequent interim period. The final decision will also be influenced by the broader strategic planning of the football operations team, led by incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth, as they allocate funds across several required positions. For Brighton, the decision will centre on whether they are prepared to sell a key asset and at what price, with their own managerial situation under new head coach Kieran McKenna also a factor.
If completed, the signing of Baleba would represent a long-term target finally secured, addressing a persistent need for dynamic, ball-winning presence in central midfield. The reduced fee reflects both the player's recent form and a more constrained market, potentially making the deal more palatable for a United hierarchy committed to a broader squad rebuild.
