Manchester United Told to Break Transfer Record for Carlos Baleba – Report

Manchester United have been informed they would need to break their transfer record to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, according to Givemesport.

Journalist Graeme Bailey reports that Brighton have set a valuation in excess of £100 million for the 21-year-old, effectively ruling out a sale this summer. United are understood to have approached Brighton through intermediaries, though personal terms are not expected to pose a significant issue.

Brighton’s position remains firm, with the club “not contemplating a Baleba sale this summer and not encouraging it either,” Bailey stated. While Baleba is aware of the interest from Old Trafford, he is not actively seeking a move.

Should a transfer proceed at the suggested price, it would exceed the £90 million United paid for Romelu Lukaku in 2017, making Baleba the club’s most expensive signing and one of Brighton’s biggest sales.

Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 for under £26 million and has since emerged as a key player. He made 40 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring four goals and providing two assists, while ranking among the club’s top three for Premier League minutes played.

The Cameroonian international is under contract at Brighton until 2028, with the club reportedly intent on retaining him for at least another season.

In parallel, Manchester United are nearing the signing of RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko as part of their ongoing squad rebuild under new manager Ruben Amorim.