Manchester United’s final pre-season match against Fiorentina yesterday once again demonstrated that Ruben Amorim is in desperate need of a physical, athletic central midfielder to partner Bruno Fernandes.
Whilst prime Casemiro would have been the ideal foil, the 33-year-old version simply does not cover enough ground quickly enough and does not break up play sufficiently to control the midfield.
It emerged last week that United are seeking to plug the gap with Brighton’s young powerhouse, Carlos Baleba, news which instantly filled the Old Trafford faithful with delight.
Seagulls playing hardball
As confirmed by the likes of tier one reporter David Ornstein, who credited @indykaila with the original story, it was acknowledged on all sides that the deal would be a difficult one to pull off, with the South coast team not wishing to sell the Cameroonian.
It was reported that a fee well in excess of £100 million would be needed for Brighton to consider a sale and that it seemed more likely that the player would stay at the Amex for another season.
Baleba agitating for move
However, there has been an interesting development overnight, according to the account that broke the original story. It is good news for United.
Indykaila posted on X that:
“Firstly, a big shoutout to the reporter who reached out with this exclusive.
“Baleba wants out/Personal terms agreed.
Carlos Baleba has made his intentions clear, he’s verbally asked Brighton to let him move to @ManUtd
“And it gets even more interesting because Baleba’s agent has given the thumbs up on the personal terms offer if @OfficialBHAFC agrees to let him go this summer.
“Brighton at this moment have not nudge[d] from their £100m valuation on the player.”
Firstly, a big shoutout to the reporter who reached out with this exclusive 💣
📍Baleba wants out/Personal terms agreed ⬇️
Carlos Baleba has made his intentions clear, he’s verbally 🗣️ asked Brighton to let him move to @ManUtd.
And it gets even more interesting because… pic.twitter.com/VL60mm2zch
— indykaila News (@indykaila) August 10, 2025
The fact that the player has his heart set on an Old Trafford switch strengthens United’s position considerably. The question now is whether Brighton will soften their stance rather than try to keep an unsettled player, and whether United still have the funds available to find a compromise figure. Certainly, if Brighton could be persuaded to accept a deal spread over several years, there is every chance that Baleba will be wearing red by the time the transfer window closes.
Featured image Mike Hewitt via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
