Man United make midfielder signing U-turn as ‘big offer’ confirmed
Man United are now unsure if they should move to sign Brighton’s Carlos Baleba for a number of different reasons that have emerged since the start of this season.
Carlos Baleba has been a standout for Brighton since he made the move from Lille in 2023, with his impressive stamina and passing range putting him up there with some of the best box-to-box midfielders in the Premier League.
Man United boss Ruben Amorim wanted to sign a midfielder of his ilk in the summer window, and the Cameroonian international emerged as a priority target after a number of attacking signings had been confirmed.
Football Insider revealed in August that Man United were working on a deal to sign Baleba as a number of Amorim’s squad made contact to convince him of a move to Old Trafford.
He did not move prior to the September deadline, however, and Football Insider recently revealed that Man United will not be able to sign Baleba in January, with a move next summer also seeming unlikely after this latest update.
Man United want Adam Wharton over Baleba after poor start to the new season
Baleba has played in all of Brighton’s nine games so far in 2025-26, but he has not been able to complete a full 90 minutes and has been substituted off at half-time on three separate occasions up to now.
According to a new report from iNews, United chiefs have now placed Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton ahead of Baleba on their transfer shortlist for a number of reasons.
Baleba’s ill-fated start to the new campaign has convinced some at Old Trafford to “rethink” their strategy and target different profile of midfielder altogether, which is where Wharton comes in.
The Red Devils’ hierarchy also believe that the 21-year-old Brighton man seems to “struggle” with the attention put onto him by their ongoing pursuit, while there is a feeling Wharton would still represent a cheaper option as Baleba’s price tag remains over the £100m mark.
What Fabian Hurzeler has said about Baleba’s future and form
Baleba was sidelined through injury for part of pre-season, hence his fitness issues in the early stages of the campaign, but he needs to get back to his old self soon if he wants to make the step to a bigger club in the near future.
Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler has continued to hand him opportunities from the off, despite his struggles, and he recently admitted that the summer interest from United may have affected Baleba’s performances in 2025-26.
Last month he said: “For sure when a young boy reads there is interest from Manchester United with a big, big offer, it might affect him deep, deep (down).
“That’s also part of the development to understand that when you play well, there comes a big offer, there comes a big club who wants to have him. But then to keep pushing, to be humble, stay here in Brighton, and try to make the next step with the team, and that’s something we have to keep on working with him.
He also insisted that the 21-year-old is “not in his best shape” as he continues to work his way back to full fitness, yet Brighton fans will likely not take those excuses much longer with the season now two months old, and he needs to return to his past form very soon.