Carlos Baleba has been of interest throughout the last season to European giants Chelsea and PSG.
It looked to have been a relatively quiet summer for rumours floating around Carlos, due to Brighton’s supposed asking price being far too high and unaffordable for most clubs. But this is a Brighton and Hove Albion transfer window, where we always have to expect the unexpected.
In this case, Manchester United’s surprise interest in the player.
Will he stay or will he go now?
Seen as a very difficult transfer to achieve for the Reds, with Brighton using the sale of Moises Caicedo as a benchmark for this deal, the Athletic reported last week. There are many factors you can look into when you look at the price, and like a lot of people, think “that’s far too much”.
You look first of all at his current level, but also his ridiculously high ceiling. The 21-year-old still has three-years-left on his current deal with the option of a fourth, and he is borderline irreplaceable for Brighton. That, of course, is not to say the Seagulls won’t have someone lined up for ‘worst case scenario’, though.
Manchester United have had a heavy summer so far, bringing in Matheus Cunha (£60m) and Bryan Mbeumo (£75m) from Premier League rivals Wolves and Brentford. Ruben Amorim has heavy interest in a midfielder, and unfortunately for Brighton, Carlos Baleba is the dream target for the 40-year-old Portuguese manager.
Questions may ask whether Manchester United still possess their pull that has allowed them to pull world-class players in the past, since Brighton and Manchester United are competing on all the same fronts this coming season. Baleba, who came from humble beginnings, will have dreamt of one day playing for a club the size of Manchester United. So of course, the Cameroonian wonderkid is very open to the move.
Manchester United will still need to agree on a fee with Brighton, which is a lot easier said than done.
However, fans feel Baleba also owes a lot to Brighton.
Since his move from Lille in 2023, the Seagulls gave him the platform to perform at this level, and he simply took his personal performances and development to a whole different level last season.
Can I see him forcing a move to Old Trafford?
Personally, no. A lot of Albion fans will say the same. The biggest issue with having potentially no Baleba, is having no one than can cover the ground he covers. Be as dominant as he is. Carry the ball as elegantly as he does.
Midfield dominance in particular would be a big issue, with Brighton only really having Ayari, Hinshelwood, Gomez, all physically capable but would get bullied against stronger midfields.
The notable trend in transitional problems have haunted Albion for a long time now, and pre-season exposed similar fragilities. Whilst he can’t do it all on his own, having Baleba in the side alongside pre-season standout Matt O’Riley, you’re afforded much needed legs and cover in that area.
