Manchester United submit £65m bid for Baleba as striker and left-back questions linger

Manchester United have submitted a bid of approximately £60m plus £5m in add-ons to Brighton for 22-year-old midfielder Carlos Baleba, with the club hopeful of completing the deal for less than £75m as the summer window enters its final stretch.

The Cameroonian international is seen as the priority third midfield signing of the summer, tasked with providing defensive cover and mobility at the base of the engine room. United’s recruitment team believe Baleba can slot in alongside Andrey Santos and complement Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans, with his ability to win the ball back, make interceptions and recycle possession cleanly making him an appealing profile.

Brighton had valued Baleba at in excess of £100m last summer, but a difficult 2023/24 campaign — during which he was substituted at half-time on two occasions and made just eight league starts in the second half of the season following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations — has seen that asking price fall considerably. United’s data department remain encouraged by his underlying metrics and believe last season was an aberration rather than a trend, pointing to a stronger 2024/25 campaign as evidence he can return to his best.

United had also pursued Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes earlier in the window before missing out on both, which has narrowed the available options in central midfield and strengthened the case for moving quickly on Baleba.

Beyond midfield, supporters have raised concerns over the club’s striker depth. Benjamin Sesko is currently the only recognised centre-forward in the squad, though United also have players capable of operating centrally in other roles. According to sources close to the club, adding another striker has not been a top priority this window, though the debate over whether that should change remains live among the fanbase.

Left-back cover is another area under scrutiny as United look to finalise their business before the deadline. The club are working across multiple positions simultaneously, and the coming days are expected to bring further clarity on their remaining targets.