news-engine

← manchester_united

Man United close in on Baleba as club eye bargain one year after £115m price tag

Talksport · Alex Conrad; Alex Crook · 2026-08-19T09:14:00+00:00 · nguồn gốc

Manchester United close in on Carlos Baleba as Red Devils eye cut-price deal just one year after £115m price tag Manchester United are in advanced talks to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton, talkSPORT understands. The Red Devils are confident of agreeing a deal for less than £75million. Baleba has already agreed personal terms wit the Red Devils. Has Manchester United previously gone after Carlos Baleba? The 22-year-old was heavily courted by the Red Devils last season but a deal never came to fruition as Brighton took a hard line stance on keeping the midfielder at the club, valuing him at around £115million. Once it became clear he would not move to Old Trafford, Baleba endured a dip in performances. The Cameroon international was taken off at half-time in three of Brighton's opening seven Premier League fixtures last term. In response to Baleba's worrying displays, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler conceded there was a chance the 22-year-old had been affected by United's interest. "For sure, when a young boy reads there is interest from Manchester United with a big, big offer, it might affect him deep, deep down,” Hurzeler said. “That’s also part of the development to understand that when you play well, there comes a big offer, there comes a big club who wants to have him. “But then to keep pushing, to be humble, stay here in Brighton, and try to make the next step with the team and that’s something we have to keep on working with him. “I can’t give you a clear answer if it’s really affected him or not. But for sure, he’s a young boy and we need to understand he’s not a machine that if you click on then he always runs and off then he stops. “We need to understand his feelings, his emotions, where he comes from, and that’s our responsibility." Which other clubs are interested in Carlos Baleba? Although United may be the front-runners for Baleba, they are not alone in the race for his signature. talkSPORT understands Baleba is on Newcastle's radar as an option to replace Bruno Guimaraes. The Magpies have a serious void in the heart of their midfield following Guimaraes' move to Arsenal. However, Baleba is far from Newcastle's only midfield target, with Manchester City's Nico Gonzalez also on the shortlist. Which players have Manchester United signed this summer? The potential addition of Baleba continues United's midfield overhaul this summer. Youri Tielemans joined from Aston Villa after the Red Devils triggered his £35m release clause while Andrey Santos arrived from Chelsea for £50m. United also have Kobbie Mainoo in their midfield ranks, with the England international penning a new deal until 2031 in April.