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Manchester United is actively pursuing Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba as a top transfer target before the window closes on September 1, 2025. Talks have opened with Baleba’s agents, and the club is reportedly preparing a bid for the Cameroonian international despite Brighton’s reluctance to sell. Brighton have set an asking price of about £120 million, referencing their 2023 sale of Moises Caicedo to Chelsea for £115 million as precedent for such valuation. United manager Ruben Amorim is pushing the hierarchy to prioritize Baleba’s signing[1][2].

To facilitate the transfer, Manchester United is considering a payment plan to make the deal feasible. Besides Baleba, the club has identified several alternatives including Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Atalanta's Ederson, and Sporting Lisbon’s Morten Hjulmand. Among these, Wharton is highly valued and the hardest to sign, given Crystal Palace’s recent qualification for European football and his price tag of around £100 million[1].

There were rumors of an agreement reached between Manchester United and Brighton at a much lower fee (€12 million) via some sources, but these claims remain unconfirmed and have been met with skepticism by more reliable commentators[3]. Manchester United’s pursuit of Baleba is seen as a significant transfer ambition, potentially breaking their previous records if completed.

In the event the Baleba deal does not materialize, Manchester United appears to have a midfield Plan B ready to address their squad needs[4]. Meanwhile, other related transfer news includes the status of Jadon Sancho and other squad players seeking moves before the new Premier League season, as the club continues to reshape its roster under Amorim’s guidance[5].

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