Manchester United hoping to fend off Liverpool for Brighton's Carlos Baleba

  /  autty

Manchester United have identified Carlos Baleba as a serious midfield target, and early signs suggest the Brighton star would welcome a move to Old Trafford.

United have made contact to explore whether a deal might be possible, and while Brighton are resisting any attempts to unsettle their £100 million-rated midfielder, sources suggest Baleba is keen on the idea of joining Ruben Amorim’s project.

Baleba, who joined Brighton from Lille two years ago, has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young midfielders in the Premier League.

His athleticism and composure under pressure have drawn praise from across the division and attracted interest from several top clubs.

Carlos Baleba's Donut Graphic (2024/25 Premier League)Opta by StatsPerform

United are determined to move early and get to the front of the queue, even if a deal proves too difficult to strike this summer. Club figures are realistic about Brighton’s stance but believe laying the groundwork could pay off in the near future.

It is understood that Liverpool are viewed as United’s strongest rivals for Baleba’s signature at this stage.

Manchester City and Tottenham have also been monitoring Baleba’s progress, but for now, any battle appears to be focused on United and Liverpool.

Brighton, as expected, are standing firm since being contacted by agents on behalf of United. They are under no pressure to sell and continue to view 21-year-old Baleba as a central figure in their plans.

Carlos Baleba's Touch Zones (2024/25 Premier League)Opta by StatsPerform

For United, the interest in Baleba is part of a wider midfield reshuffle under Amorim.

The club are seeking more physicality and dynamism in the middle of the park, and Baleba fits that profile perfectly. He has been on the shortlist of targets for a while, but it was widely assumed he would be out of reach.

That may still prove to be the case, but United are quietly confident that the player’s willingness to join them could prove decisive - if not now, then further down the line.

Related: Manchester United Liverpool Brighton & Hove Albion
Latest comments
Download All Football for more comments