“Wants to go to United”: Euro giants rebuffed by Amorim’s dream target, he’s chosen Old Trafford – Fabrizio Romano

Bayern Munich are “not working on a deal” for Carlos Baleba after being told where the Manchester United target wants to play next season, Fabrizio Romano reveals. A Wanted Man Baleba, 21, has emerged as one of the best young defensive midfielders in Europe since joining Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2023. Combining speed and strength with outstanding dribbling and incisive passing, the Cameroon international is able to dominate transitions both with and without the ball. Ruben Amorim is infatuated with Baleba’s skill set, and United made overtures to sign him last summer, believing him to be an “ideal fit” in the Portuguese coach’s demanding system. A deal never progressed beyond initial talks, however. An agreement was struck with the player himself, but Brighton refused to entertain any offers for their starlet, believing it would require a fee in the region of what Chelsea paid for Moisés Caicedo — £115 million — to bring the Seagulls to the negotiating table. United are expected to return to the south coast next summer, with Romano revealing the club are still “absolutely interested in the player and remain in contact with people close to the player.” Baleba’s form has plummeted this season, however, with Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler publicly acknowledging the impact of United’s interest and repeatedly substituting the midfielder at half time. This raises a question over United’s continued pursuit: if a youngster’s performances suffer simply due to links with Old Trafford, what will happen once he actually arrives? 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 The Red Devils are not alone in their admiration for Baleba, with Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur all in the race for the Cameroonian, who is currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations alongside Bryan Mbeumo. But there was also competition from abroad — with Bayern Munich identifying the midfielder as a target, according to a report relayed by The Peoples Person earlier this month. Bayern Bow Out But Romano reveals Bayern are no longer pursuing Baleba, as the German champions have been “informed” he wants to “stay in England” after already pushing to join United last summer. “There were rumours in December in the past couple of weeks about Bayern Munich being in talks, being interested in Baleba. Bayern, from what I’m told at this stage, are not working on a deal for Baleba. “They feel that the player wants to stay in England and already last summer wanted to go to Man Utd. Bayern are informed about that,” the Italian transfer guru states on his YouTube channel. Baleba’s dream appears to be wearing a United shirt, to such an extent that a European powerhouse like Bayern have ruled themselves out of the running for the talented youngster. And those feelings are reciprocated by the coach and executive structure at the the Theatre of Dreams. United are leading a red-hot race for Amorim’s dream addition in midfield, though Romano notes that a deal in January is “unlikely” and other targets like Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton are also on club’s radar. Featured image Mike Hewitt 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.