10 Ballon d'Or winners believe Man Utd have 'better' midfielder than Baleba

Carlos Baleba has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United, but the Red Devils already have a midfield sensation who has been recognised by a host of Ballon d'Or winners

While Manchester United are weighing up a blockbuster approach for Carlos Baleba, some believe the club already have an even greater midfield prodigy in their midst. And these aren't just ordinary observers – we're talking about 10 Ballon d'Or winners.

Earlier this week, it emerged that the Red Devils have set their sights on Brighton's Baleba, with manager Ruben Amorim keen to bring in a defensive midfielder after successfully strengthening his forward line. Brighton, however, are unwilling to part ways with the 21-year-old, who has effortlessly filled Moises Caicedo's sizeable shoes after the Ecuadorian left for Chelsea in 2023.

Internally, United accept that signing Baleba this summer will be no easy task, as Brighton are expected to demand around £100million for the Cameroon star. Meeting that figure would push United's transfer outlay for the summer towards – and potentially beyond – the £300m mark with Benjamin Sesko also arriving at Old Trafford.

Considering the hefty asking price and the club's precarious financial state, many question whether the pursuit is worth it, particularly as United already boast a gifted young midfielder in Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old is seen as one of Europe's most exciting emerging players, underlined by his third-place finish in last year's Kopa Trophy – awarded to the best footballer under the age of 21 – trailing only Arda Guler and winner Lamine Yamal.

The prize, introduced in 2018, is voted on by a panel of former Ballon d'Or winners – 10 of whom ranked Mainoo in their top three. That distinguished group features Michael Owen, Marco van Basten, Kaka, Andriy Shevchenko, Ruud Gullit, Pavel Nedved, Matthias Sammer, Jean-Pierre Papin, Igor Belanov and Gianni Rivera.

Mainoo missed out on this year's shortlist after a stop-start season disrupted by injuries, yet optimism remains high within United that he can rediscover the consistency and spark that made him the academy's latest breakout star.

His current deal runs until 2027, with negotiations for an extension ongoing but paused since last year. United do hold an option to prolong his contract by an additional year, though that hasn't prevented exit rumours from swirling in recent months.

Should uncertainty over Mainoo's future persist, United's pursuit of Baleba could gather pace. That said, securing one isn't necessarily contingent on pinning down the other.

While both operate in central midfield, Baleba is a more orthodox ball-winning No. 6, whereas Mainoo excels at advancing possession and adding creative thrust.

If anything, they'd form an electrifying pairing, combining energy and tenacity off the ball with incisive passing and fast, fluid interplay on it – precisely the dynamic Amorim is eager to cultivate in midfield.

For the moment, Brighton retain the upper hand in any negotiations over Baleba. The player is under contract for another three years, and the Seagulls have built a reputation for driving hard bargains – banking big sums for the likes of Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Joao Pedro and Ben White.

Whether United choose to seriously test Brighton's resolve remains to be seen, but if they do, prising Baleba away will likely be a drawn-out and fiercely contested battle.