As the 2025/26 season unfolds, Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba remains intensely interested in a transfer to Manchester United, with positive conversations from the summer of 2025 still echoing in the corridors of Old Trafford. According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Fabrizio Romano, the 21-year-old Cameroonian has his heart set on a move to the Red Devils in 2026, though the path is fraught with obstacles. Like a river carving through stone, Baleba's determination persists despite Brighton's stubborn valuation, which has thus far proven an immovable barrier.

Manchester United's pursuit of Baleba is not a fleeting fancy. In the summer of 2025, the club held talks with the player and his representatives, only to be priced out of a deal. Brighton's demands reached approximately £115 million, a figure that United deemed excessive for a player who, while immensely talented, had yet to prove himself at the highest echelons of European football. Instead, the Red Devils opted to sign goalkeeper Senne Lammens as their final acquisition of that transfer window, leaving the midfield vacancy unresolved.

Yet the flame of interest never extinguished. Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, revealed that Baleba's move to Manchester United remains difficult unless Brighton soften their stance. The Seagulls, currently enjoying a strong campaign, have no pressing need to sell, and their contract with Baleba runs until June 2028, with an option to extend by a further year. This contractual security gives Brighton a fortress-like negotiating position, one that United must either breach with a hefty offer or circumvent by waiting.

📊 Baleba's 2025/26 Season Stats (as of early 2026)

The midfielder has been a mainstay under head coach Fabian Hurzeler, featuring in all 14 of Brighton's games across the Premier League and Carabao Cup this season, making 12 starts. His dynamic box-to-box style, combined with an ability to break lines and dictate tempo, has drawn comparisons to some of the Premier League's finest. Since joining from Lille in the summer of 2023, Baleba has developed into a cornerstone of Brighton's midfield, and his performances have only intensified the admiration from Manchester.

Manchester United's need for a new midfielder in 2026 is acute. The club's hierarchy has identified the position as a priority, and Baleba sits at the top of their wishlist. However, they are not putting all their eggs in one basket. According to GIVEMESPORT sources, United have also earmarked Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson as another option. The former Newcastle midfielder has impressed with his tenacity and passing range, and the Red Devils are scouting him among other potential targets. Yet, no concrete moves have been made regarding Anderson, suggesting that Baleba remains the primary objective.

The negotiation saga resembles a tango between two partners who cannot agree on the tempo—United pushing for a move, Brighton resisting with the calm of a chess grandmaster who sees the board three moves ahead. Romano's insight suggests that unless Brighton change their stance, the deal is unlikely to materialize mid-season. But after the campaign, the landscape could shift. Baleba's desire, coupled with United's persistent interest, might eventually wear down the Seagulls' resolve. Like a gardener waiting for a rare bloom, United must exercise patience, but the seed of a transfer has already been planted.

For Baleba, the allure of Old Trafford is a compass needle that points unerringly to Manchester, even as Brighton's valuation acts as a magnetic storm. The 21-year-old is understood to be very keen on the move, and his representatives have maintained a positive dialogue with United. Whether that translates into a transfer in the summer of 2026 depends on a confluence of factors: Brighton's willingness to negotiate, United's willingness to pay, and the player's own conviction to force the issue.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Baleba's performances. Every tackle, every pass, every driving run will be scrutinized by the Manchester United faithful, who dream of seeing him in red. Brighton, meanwhile, will hope that their star midfielder continues to shine without distraction. The coming months will determine whether this transfer saga ends in a triumphant crescendo or a frustrating fade-out. One thing is certain: Carlos Baleba's heart is set on Manchester United, and that desire, like a slow-burning fire, will not be easily extinguished.