Manchester United have stepped up interest in one of the Premier League's top young midfield stars.
As per David Ornstein, United have made contact with Brighton & Hove Albion over a possible move for Carlos Baleba.
While Brighton plan on keeping the Cameroon international, United are big admirers of the 21-year-old and want to know if a potential deal is feasible this summer.
No direct talks between the clubs have taken place so far as the contact from United came via a third party.
🚨 Man Utd contact Brighton via intermediaries to explore conditions of deal for Carlos Baleba. #BHAFC do not plan to sell this summer & all sides aware move may be unrealistic. But #MUFC keen + should know in coming days if plausible or not @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/jCflCWm3AV
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 6, 2025
Baleba only joined Brighton two years ago from Lille for a fee just below £26m and he still has three years remaining on his current contract.
The Cameroon international is regarded by many as a top talent and is crucial to ensuring Brighton's midfield can tick. He featured 34 times for The Seagulls in the league last season.
The importance of Baleba to Fabian Hurzeler's side means it would likely take a mammoth fee to prize the player away from the Amex Stadium.
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United's current midfield issues under Ruben Amorim
United boss, Ruben Amorim, is in need of quality midfield reinforcements as the middle of the pitch was often the scene of United's faults last season.
Casemiro is in the latter stages of his career, meaning he can often appear isolated in games, while Manuel Ugarte has struggled for consistency since moving to United from Paris Saint Germain last summer.
Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo can play in the double-pivot in Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system, but they lack the natural defensive qualities to truly succeed in that area.
Also, Christian Eriksen departed the club after his contract expired this summer.
The potential signing of Baleba would give United's midfield the required intensity and solidity to operate better against the Premier League's tougher sides this coming season.
It is already shaping up to be a busy period for major incomings at Old Trafford, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo already through the door, and Benjamin Sesko reportedly close to joining Amorim's side as well.
While a potential deal to bring Baleba to United is not close to happening as of this moment, him joining would give the club's supporters increased hope for the upcoming campaign.
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