(Credit: Manh Tung - Breaking Media / Hasan Karim - Breaking Media)

Ben Palmer

Thu 21 August 2025 18:16, UK

Brighton will “ramp up” the asking price for Carlos Baleba if Man United attempts to sign the midfielder thanks to the Red Devils being a rival Premier League club.

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That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that the Seagulls clearly do not want to sell their prized 21-year-old.

Having been outscored by 15 Premier League teams last season, Man United signed Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha in a bid to fix their offensive woes.

And whilst they failed to find the back of the net in their first game of the season, a 1-0 loss to Arsenal, the signs were largely positive.

However, Ruben Amorim wants to see his side continue to reinforce this summer, notably in the central midfield area.

Man United made an approach for Baleba but Brighton currently seems unwilling to part with the Cameroon international.

Matheus Cunha was signed from Wolves this summer.

Credit: Imago

This article contains exclusive comment from Dan Plumley, a football finance expert and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University

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Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Plumley believes that Brighton will demand United pay £100m for Baleba, and that price is influenced by the Red Devils being a Premier League rival.

He said: “If you look at the history record on this, and we look at what happened with Caicedo to Chelsea as an example, I think it’s likely they’d be holding out for £100m.

Carlos Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023.

“When you’re selling to a Premier League rival, with other examples that we’ve seen with that club, and they’re ramping up prices for players, I think it’s gonna be in that kind of region to get a deal done now.

“They’re gonna play hardball, you wouldn’t be surprised to see them ask for £100m if he is gonna go anytime soon.”

Elsewhere in other transfer news concerning the Red Devils, a decision has been made on one of their stalwarts.

Man United have no plans to sell Luke Shaw this summer, the club’s former chief scout, Mick Brown, told Football Insider exclusively.

Luke Shaw has struggled to stay fit.
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