United and Real Madrid clash in red-hot race for €90m powerhouse driving his country to glory at AFCON – report

Manchester United’s pursuit of Carlos Baleba has taken a sharp twist as Real Madrid have stormed into the race for the 21-year-old midfielder – but the Red Devils remain at the front of the queue. Rebuilding the Midfield United’s priority in the transfer market is a much-needed overhaul of their midfield. The ongoing uncertainty over the current cohort at Old Trafford — Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo — means that two recruits are expected to arrive, whether in January or during the summer window. United’s first-choice targets are Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, and Baleba, whom the club made advances to sign last year. However, Brighton & Hove Albion’s refusal to enter negotiations prevented a deal from being struck. There was firm expectation United would return to the south coast again for the Cameroon international, who is representing his country at the African Cup of Nations alongside his compatriot — and Red Devil — Bryan Mbeumo. The pair are hoping to propel the Indomitable Lions to their sixth AFCON triumph, with Baleba’s “commanding” performances making him one of the standout stars at the tournament in Morocco so far. It’s understood that interest in Baleba was primarily driven by the recently departed Ruben Amorim, however, who had identified the Brighton enforcer as an ideal fit in his 3-4-2-1 system. INEOS’s decision to dismiss Amorim on Monday morning sent shockwaves across English football, sparking a wave of questions about the long-term direction of the club. But it also creates doubt over United’s continued interest in Baleba, given the biggest proponent of his signing is no longer at Old Trafford. And this is further complicated by a report from Spain that Real Madrid have locked on to the Cameroonian as a potential solution to their midfield woes. Madrid on the hunt Defensa Central reveals Los Blancos are “closely examining” the prospect of launching a raid for Baleba this summer, as they search for a new option in Xabi Alonso’s engine room. The Spanish powerhouse has dispatched scouts to the Amex Stadium to watch the 21-year-old in action this season — and they have delivered positive reports, despite his erratic form in comparison to last year. Carlos Baleba Premier League stats: 2025/26 Season Appearances16 Minutes per game57 Touches per game 32.3 Key passes per game0.2 Accurate passes per game19.9 (86%) Interceptions per game0.9 Tackles per game1.1 But Fichajes contends that officials at the Bernabeu consider Brighton’s asking price — said to be “around €90 million” — too expensive for a player still so raw, and so have ruled out a move. This conflicts with reports in England that the Seagulls’ valuation is in excess of £100m (€115m), though a more expensive figure would just further compound Madrid’s decision, rather than change it. Final Thoughts Regardless, Madrid’s movements are a positive development for United, should INEOS decide to maintain their pursuit of Baleba even without Amorim at the helm. A European juggernaut, with an excellent scouting system, considers Baleba an excellent midfield prospect, but lacks the financial will to follow through on their interest. This validates United’s interest in the Cameroonian, while eliminating a potential rival for his signature. It is a win-win for a club who has endured too many losses recently, on and off the pitch. Featured image Ryan Pierse via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.