Fabrizio Romano: Man Utd Step Up £65M ‘Monster’ Move as Brighton Talks Loom

Manchester United are ready to take another major step in their pursuit of Carlos Baleba, with club-to-club talks with Brighton now expected to take place.

The Red Devils have returned to the Cameroon international after their move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson collapsed following his medical.

That has forced Manchester United to revisit their midfield options, and Baleba has quickly become one of the main names on their list.

United were interested in the 22-year-old last summer, but a deal could not be agreed. At that time, the potential transfer was understood to be worth more than £100m.

The situation is now very different.

Baleba’s difficult 2025/26 campaign, combined with injury problems, has seen his value fall. That could give United a much more realistic opportunity to finally bring him to Old Trafford.

According to the latest update from Fabrizio Romano, United are set to hold direct talks with Brighton as they try to move the transfer forward.

Carlos Baleba still has qualities Man Utd need

Baleba did not enjoy his best season in a Brighton shirt last term, but writing him off would be a mistake.

The midfielder still made 31 Premier League appearances, gaining valuable experience at the highest level. His defensive numbers were particularly impressive.

Baleba averaged 1.6 interceptions per 90 minutes, the highest figure among Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton players.

He also averaged 11.3 defensive contributions per 90, ranking second within the Brighton squad.

Those numbers show why United remain interested despite his recent drop in form. The Cameroon international is a powerful central midfielder who can cover ground, compete for the ball and protect the players around him.

That could be extremely useful for Michael Carrick.

United have several midfielders with different qualities, but they still need somebody who can provide physical strength and defensive security without simply sitting in front of the defence.

Baleba can potentially offer that. There is also the fact that he is only 22.

United would not simply be signing a player for the next two or three years. If he can recover his best form, he could become an important part of the midfield for a much longer period.

Man Utd transfer talks could decide Baleba’s future

The biggest development is that the transfer has now moved towards direct negotiations.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Manchester United are expected to speak directly with Brighton, with talks scheduled for Thursday. That is significant because United have already made progress on the player’s side.

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has reported that personal terms have been agreed with Baleba. The player himself is also believed to be pushing strongly for the move.

Romano has suggested that Baleba has been trying to make the transfer happen since last summer, which shows how much he wants the chance to play for Manchester United.

However, personal terms do not mean the deal is close to being completed. Brighton still control the player’s future and will have their own valuation.

United must therefore agree a fee that works for both clubs.

The situation is helped by Baleba’s reduced value compared with last year.

A deal that once looked like it could cost more than £100m would now reportedly be closer to the £60m-£65m region, although the exact final fee remains uncertain.

For United, that makes the risk easier to accept.

Carlos Baleba transfer details

United must be careful with the £60m decision

There is an obvious reason for United to be excited about this transfer.

Baleba has the physical profile needed for Premier League football, he has already gained significant experience and his defensive statistics remain strong.

But the concerns cannot be ignored. The 2025/26 campaign was difficult for him, and injuries played a major part.

He managed only 1,662 Premier League minutes, more than 1,000 fewer than the previous season.

That means United would be paying a significant amount for a player who needs to prove that he can stay fit and consistently perform at his highest level.

There is also pressure attached to playing for Manchester United. A good run at Brighton is one thing. Performing every week at Old Trafford is completely different.

That is why the reported fall in his price is so important. If United can negotiate a deal around £60m rather than the £100m-plus figure discussed previously, the transfer becomes far more attractive.

The potential is still there. Baleba has been described as a “monster” by journalist Eduardo Hagn, while his defensive numbers show that he can make a real impact when fully fit.

For Carrick, the ideal scenario would be to get the player back to his best and then build the midfield around his physical and defensive qualities.

The upcoming discussions with Brighton could therefore be one of the most important moments of United’s transfer window.

If the clubs can agree a fee, Baleba could finally get the move he has reportedly wanted since last summer.

For Manchester United, the question is simple: can they turn the reduced price of a talented but recently inconsistent midfielder into a smart long-term signing?

The next round of talks with Brighton should provide a much clearer answer.