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Manchester United are pushing to secure a third central midfielder this summer, and Brighton star Carlos Baleba has emerged as the frontrunner, with transfer insider Fabrizio Romano confirming the 22-year-old is “super keen” on the move to Old Trafford.
United’s summer business has already included the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, but the search for a ball-winning midfielder has dragged across several weeks. Aurelien Tchouameni, Manu Kone, and Danilo all featured in United’s planning, yet no deal materialised for any of them. Baleba, who was high on the club’s list a year ago, is now back in focus.
Romano Details Baleba’s Desire to Join United
Speaking on YouTube, Romano outlined the current state of negotiations:
“It’s my understanding that those close to the player have been in contact with United to suggest the possibility of a transfer. He’s a name who was high on their list a year ago, but the player is super keen about Man Utd, now it depends on the club whether they want to proceed or not.”
A fee of £75m has been mooted for the Cameroonian’s signature. The ball is now firmly in United’s court.
Why Baleba Fits Carrick’s System
Michael Carrick guided United to a third-placed Premier League finish last season, losing just two of his 17 league games in his temporary stint before earning a permanent contract. Building a competitive squad for a title challenge in 2026/27 demands exactly the profile Baleba offers.
His 2025/26 Premier League numbers are striking. Baleba registered 11.3 defensive contributions per 90 and 1.6 interceptions per 90 for the Seagulls, both figures placing him in the top 20% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues. He also won 5.5 ground duels per 90, posted a 58% aerial success rate, and recorded 5.7 ball recoveries per 90. Eduardo Hagn’s description of him as a “monster prospect” is borne out by the data.
The Mainoo Partnership That Makes Sense
Kobbie Mainoo is central to everything Carrick builds. Despite being frozen out under former boss Ruben Amorim, the 21-year-old featured in all but one of Carrick’s league games and was instrumental in securing Champions League qualification. His 1.2 successful dribbles per 90 placed him above 94% of players in his position, and his 89% pass completion rate was the highest of any United midfielder throughout 2025/26.
Mainoo’s profile demands a disciplined defensive partner who wins the ball and recycles possession so the Englishman can operate higher up the pitch. Casemiro’s departure has left that void. Baleba slots directly into it.
| Fewest mins played by outfielders for England at the World Cup | Minutes |
|---|---|
| Kobbie Mainoo | 0 |
| Trevoh Chalobah | 0 |
| Ivan Toney | 1 |
| Ollie Watkins | 6 |
| Jordan Henderson | 6 |
| Dan Burn | 32 |
| Jarell Quansah | 117 |
| Eberechi Eze | 130 |
Mainoo earned a World Cup call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad but was one of only two outfield players who did not register a single minute at the tournament. That will fuel his determination heading into next season, and having a defensive midfielder of Baleba’s calibre alongside him can only accelerate his development.
Read also: Arsenal and Manchester United Make Moves to Sign Danilo Santos from Botafogo
Baleba’s Premier League experience is an asset United cannot overlook. A Mainoo-Baleba axis at the base of Carrick’s midfield has the foundation to function at a high level for years. Follow TipsGG for all the latest updates as this transfer develops.