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(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Fri 15 August 2025 7:00, UK

Man United remain keen to sign Brighton star Carlos Baleba but may be forced to pull out due to his price tag, according to their former chief scout.

Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that United’s pursuit of the 21-year-old may now prove difficult.

Brighton are demanding at least £100million to sell their star man at this stage of the transfer window and United are unlikely to reach that fee.

That is despite Brown telling Football Insider on 12 August that Baleba wants to join Man United and hopes they can agree terms with the Seagulls.

Man United are interested in signing Carlos Baleba.

(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

The midfielder is said to have spoken to friends in the United squad and is keen on the switch, although it is unlikely he will push for the move.

Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 12 August that Man United are pushing to sign Baleba as part of an ambitious plan late in the window.

This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.

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Brown told Football Insider in April that Liverpool were interested in signing Baleba but had reservations about paying his £100million asking price.

Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also worked for the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and West Ham, insisted that United share their rivals’ view and may be unable to agree to paying such a large fee.

“Man United’s interest in Baleba is strong,” he told Football Insider.

“From what I’ve seen of him, I think he’s a tremendous player, he looks like a real top player who can keep improving and get to a really high level.

“If Man United could get a deal over the line, it would be a major plus for them.

“It’s just about whether they can do a deal with Brighton, because understandably they’re not going to want to lose their star player now.

Fabian Hurzeler is reluctant to lose Carlos Baleba.

(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

“It won’t be an easy one to do, and I wouldn’t expect him to force through a move.

“The issue for Man United is the price tag, I can’t see a world in which they pay £100million.

“That’s the price tag Brighton have placed on him, and fair play to them because he’s under contract and they can ask for whatever they want.

“But United don’t have a magic money tree.

“They’ve spent over £200million on Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko and haven’t sold anybody yet, so I don’t know where they’d get an extra £100million from.

“So they might now be forced to move on because I don’t think it will be possible.”

While incoming deals have very much been the story of the summer at Old Trafford, they remain determined to cash in on some of their fringe players.

Football Insider revealed on 8 August that Chelsea will push to sign Alejandro Garnacho in the closing stages of the window as a result of their long-held interest.

Chelsea are pushing to sign Alejandro Garnacho.

(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Enzo Maresca’s side are currently willing to pay £40million to land the winger, while United are holding out for their £50million valuation if they are to sell.

However, Brown told Football Insider that Chelsea are confident of agreeing a deal with United and are pushing to do a deal in the coming weeks.

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