Baleba held private talks with Fernandes and Cunha as Man Utd weigh £100m return

Carlos Baleba held private conversations with Manchester United players — including captain Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha — on the final day of the Premier League season, as speculation grows over a renewed move to Old Trafford this summer. The Brighton midfielder approached both players after United’s 3-0 win at the Amex Stadium, with Baleba and Cunha reportedly sharing a lengthy exchange by the tunnel.

Baleba was the subject of a reported £100 million offer from United last summer, but Brighton refused to sell and the Cameroonian stayed on the south coast. Now 22, he has since spent time on loan at Trabzonspor, and United are understood to be back in the market for central midfielders.

The Red Devils have already agreed a £35 million deal to sign Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Atalanta, but Baleba remains a name of interest. Brighton paid £23 million to sign him, meaning the club would stand to make a substantial profit on any sale — a model they have followed before, most notably when Moises Caicedo joined Chelsea for £115 million.

Baleba has existing connections within United’s current squad. He played alongside defender Leny Yoro at Lille, is close friends with Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo, and was encouraged to pursue a move to Manchester last year by compatriot and United goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler acknowledged last season that the failed transfer saga had affected Baleba’s form. “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],” Hurzeler said. “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.”

Hurzeler added that the club had a responsibility to manage the midfielder’s emotions carefully, describing him as someone whose feelings and background needed to be understood rather than simply expected to perform on demand.

Whether Brighton’s stance has softened since last summer remains to be seen, but Baleba’s apparent willingness to sound out United’s players suggests the 22-year-old’s own interest in the move has not faded.