Man United make 'major Carlos Baleba call' as Brighton boss delivers transfer verdict

Manchester United are reportedly willing to wait until next summer to sign Carlos Baleba, with a deal for the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder 'unlikely' before the end of the current market.

Baleba, 21, is Man United's leading target at this stage of proceedings, with the club working to sign a central midfielder before the September deadline.

The Cameroon international is thought to be keen to make the move to Old Trafford, but he has a contract at the Amex until June 2028, and Brighton are believed to value him in excess of £100m.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Man United have not entirely ruled out a move for Baleba before the end of the transfer window, but a deal has been described as 'unlikely'.

External sources have also allegedly told the publication that a deal before the end of the current market is 'too difficult' due to the type of money that Brighton would want for his services.

Man United 'prepared to wait until next summer' for Baleba

Man United will allegedly sign a midfielder even if they miss out on Baleba, with Athletic's Mikel Jauregizar believed to be a potential alternative for the 20-time English champions.

Baleba has scored four times and registered two assists in 77 appearances for the Seagulls since making the move from Lille in the summer of 2023, and he is one of the most highly-rated midfielders in the Premier League.

Liverpool and Manchester City have also been credited with an interest in the Cameroonian, and the duo could also potentially be in the race for his signature during next summer's transfer window.

Man United have already spent heavily on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko this summer, but as well as a midfielder, they are also expected to move for a goalkeeper before the deadline.

Brighton boss "very, very confident" of keeping Baleba

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said during his press conference on Friday that he is "very, very confident" of keeping hold of the midfielder this summer.

"I am very, very confident. I didn't see any change, he's only changed his hair. I think that's the change he's made in the last two weeks," Hurzeler told reporters ahead of Saturday's league game against Fulham.

"But overall, he seems to be in a really good place, he's enjoying it with his teammates, he's enjoying being a Brighton player. I didn't see any big changes and he's an option to start tomorrow".

Baleba has missed Brighton's last four pre-season friendlies due to a knee problem, but he could be back in the squad for the contest with Fulham.

Man United, meanwhile, will open their 2025-26 Premier League campaign against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, and Sesko, Mbeumo and Cunha are all in line to make their debuts in that clash.