Manchester United are already planning for a huge summer rebuild, and one name keeps coming back to the top of their list. Carlos Baleba is once again at the centre of Old Trafford discussions, and this time, the confidence inside the club is growing.
Reports suggest United are now “increasingly confident” they can land the Brighton midfielder in the upcoming summer transfer window. It would be a major statement signing and a clear sign that the club want to reset their midfield for the future.
Baleba has been admired by Manchester United for a long time. The Cameroon international was already a priority target before the 2025/26 season even started. At the time, Brighton made their stance very clear and refused to negotiate.
Brighton were firm because of their recent history. They had just sold Moises Caicedo to Chelsea for £115 million, a deal that completely changed the market for elite midfielders. That sale set the bar extremely high.
As a result, Brighton quoted a price well above £100 million for Baleba. Manchester United walked away, knowing a deal was impossible at that stage. But the story did not end there.
United have never stopped monitoring the 22-year-old. Scouts continue to watch him closely, and senior figures at Old Trafford believe circumstances are slowly shifting in their favour.
Part of that belief comes from Baleba’s recent form. While still clearly talented, there has been a gradual decline in his performances under Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler. It has not gone unnoticed.
The Sun reports that United now feel the timing could finally be right. A full midfield overhaul is planned for the summer, and Baleba is seen as a long-term solution rather than a short-term fix.
Although Baleba is under contract at Brighton until June 2028, that alone does not scare Manchester United. Brighton have shown many times that they are willing to sell if the price is right.
The club trusts its recruitment system deeply. When one star leaves, another is usually ready to step in. That confidence makes negotiations possible, even for players they publicly say are untouchable.
Baleba is unlikely to be the only midfielder United target. The club want at least two new central midfielders to arrive at Old Trafford in the summer.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is being tracked closely. Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is also admired, while Bournemouth’s Alex Scott remains firmly on the radar.
At the same time, several current United midfielders face uncertain futures. Casemiro is expected to leave when his contract expires in June, ending a short but intense spell at the club.
There are also growing concerns about Bruno Fernandes. His future has become less clear following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, a manager who had strong ideas about how the team should play.
Kobbie Mainoo’s situation has also caused anxiety behind the scenes. The young midfielder has been unsettled this season, with Napoli showing serious interest in his signature.
For now, Manchester United are being managed by Michael Carrick. However, everyone inside the club knows that a long-term manager will be appointed in the summer.
That decision will influence transfers, but the hierarchy are not waiting. Plans are already in motion because this summer is seen as critical for the club’s direction.
Brighton, meanwhile, continue to project strength in public. They have a reputation for being tough negotiators and rarely back down under pressure.
Deputy chairman Paul Barber recently addressed the situation directly. “[We’ve had] no call from Old Trafford, no call from anyone connected to Manchester United,” he said.
He went even further, adding: “We have no plans or desire to sell Carlos Baleba in this window or any future window. We know he’s a talented player and I am sure he’s got a lot of options ahead of him in the future.”
Barber also stressed how important Baleba is to Brighton’s plans. “For us he’s an important player in the second half of the season and we’re looking forward to having back from AFCON,” he explained.
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom echoed that message earlier in the season. Speaking to The Argus in October, he downplayed the drama around the midfielder.
“I don’t think Baleba was a saga,” Bloom said. “There was interest from Manchester United, and we said that he wasn’t available this summer and they went away.”
Yet football moves fast. Situations change. Players develop, form fluctuates, and clubs reassess their priorities.
Manchester United believe this summer could finally be the moment when the £100 million wall starts to crack. Whether Brighton agree is another story, but confidence at Old Trafford is growing for a reason.
