United's midfield obsession continues
Manchester United's pursuit of Carlos Baleba has become the transfer equivalent of watching someone repeatedly try to fit a square peg into a round hole. According to Sky Sports, the club is still exploring the possibility of landing Brighton's Cameroonian midfielder this January, but here's the reality check everyone at Old Trafford needs: it's not happening.
Brighton want €115 million. United's scouts believe Baleba's current form doesn't justify that fee. And honestly? The scouts are right. This isn't the same player who had Europe's elite clubs salivating last season.
The numbers don't lie
Baleba, who turns 22 today, has made 16 Premier League appearances this season with just 896 minutes on the pitch. Zero goals. Zero assists. For context, Brighton are sitting 14th in the table with a 6-7-6 record, and their supposed star midfielder has been a passenger rather than a driver.
Compare that to his 2024-25 campaign where he won Brighton's Young Player of the Season award and had Manchester United, among others, ready to break the bank. The summer transfer speculation clearly got into his head, and Fabian Hurzeler has openly admitted that United's interest had an unhelpful impact on the player.
United's shopping list is ambitious
Baleba isn't the only name on Ruben Amorim's wishlist. The Red Devils are also tracking Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, who leads the Premier League in ball recoveries this season with 159. Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace and Joao Gomes at Wolves are on the radar too. Then there are the younger prospects: Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi and Olympiacos' Christos Mouzakitis represent the long-term vision.
The strategy is clear: United want at least one, possibly two top central midfielders in 2026. With Casemiro's exit looking likely and question marks over Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes's futures, the midfield rebuild is the priority. But January? Forget it. Summer is when the real business happens.
Why this matters for both clubs
Manchester United are having a miserable season. No European football for the first time since 2014-15. A disastrous start that saw them collect just four points from their opening four games. They face Leeds United today at Elland Road, followed by Burnley midweek, then the Manchester derby on January 17 before traveling to Arsenal. The fixture list is brutal, and the squad isn't good enough.
Brighton, meanwhile, have zero intention of selling their prized asset mid-season. They know the summer will bring fresh interest, potentially at even higher valuations if Baleba rediscovers his form at the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon, which kicks off later this month in Morocco.
The verdict
United are wasting energy on a deal that won't materialize until at least June. Baleba needs to focus on rebuilding his confidence rather than reading headlines about nine-figure transfer fees. And Brighton are smart enough to know that selling in January only benefits the buying club.
This one goes into the wait and see folder. Which, knowing United's recent transfer history, means they'll probably overpay in August after letting the entire summer drama play out publicly. Again.