Manchester United have identified Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba as a primary target as they plan a significant summer rebuild, according to a report from the Daily Mail. The club, under the direction of INEOS, is reportedly prepared to spend up to £150 million to sign three new midfielders, with an estimated £80 million earmarked for a direct replacement for the departing Casemiro.
United correspondent Chris Wheeler reports that Baleba, 22, is currently the most likely candidate to fill that role in an £80 million deal. The Cameroon international, who joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 for a fee in the region of £23 million, has developed into a key player at the Amex Stadium, impressing with his athleticism and ball-winning abilities in the heart of midfield. His potential acquisition is part of a wider strategy to overhaul an engine room that will see both Casemiro leave on a free transfer and the club seek a buyer for Manuel Ugarte.
The pursuit of Baleba comes after United reportedly conceded that other high-profile targets may be out of reach. The club admires Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, but a fee exceeding £100 million and competition from Manchester City have complicated that move. Alternatives such as Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni, who is set to sign a new contract in Spain, and Newcastle's Sandro Tonali have also been considered but present their own challenges. United reportedly view Baleba as offering better value in the market.
Following the marquee signing, United plan a second midfield addition worth around £40 million to succeed Ugarte. Players linked with this secondary role include West Ham's Mateus Fernandes and Bournemouth pair Alex Scott and Tyler Adams. A further £20 million is reportedly set aside for a third, more developmental option, with Southampton's Shea Charles named as a player of interest. This ambitious triple deal signals INEOS's intent to build a new-look midfield around the recently extended Kobbie Mainoo.
The potential move for Baleba represents a significant step in United's summer planning. For Brighton, it would continue their model of developing and selling talent for a substantial profit. For United, securing a young, Premier League-proven midfielder would address an immediate need for physicality and dynamism, allowing the club to move on from the Casemiro era and build a more modern midfield unit ahead of next season.
