Manchester United were interested in a summer move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, but the Cameroonian ended up staying at the Seagulls
Carlos Baleba in action for Brighton against Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Carlos Baleba has addressed talk that speculation over a potential move to Manchester United has impacted his form this season. The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder was linked with a £100million switch to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window, after impressing for Fabian Hurzeler’s side in 2024/25.
However, United didn’t end up signing him and Baleba stayed at the Amex Stadium. Since the window slammed shut, the Cameroon international has made 15 appearances for the Seagulls. While Baleba has been an almost ever-present in the Brighton XI, he hasn’t been at his best this season.
Indeed, that has led to some, including Brighton supporters, question whether the transfer speculation has influenced his form in a Seagulls shirt this season.
When asked about that, Baleba told Sky Sports on Sunday: “I don’t think it affected me negatively, but I had a lot of pressure on me. When I started this season, I wanted to show the same performances as last season.
“Every day I try to work hard and get back to my level. Did I put too much pressure on myself? Yes, I think so, but I think it’s good. It’s good for me, because now I have to get through this slightly stressful period, get back on the horse and continue working hard.”
Carlos Baleba has struggled for consistency for Brighton this season(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Despite his mixed form this season, Baleba is once again being linked with a January move to Old Trafford as United look to strengthen in the middle of the park. United were desperate to bolster that area of the pitch in the summer, but they inevitably failed to do so, leaving Ruben Amorim with the same options.
Although Brighton was reluctant to sell and valued Baleba at £100m, it has been reported that the club’s stance on a potential exit has changed since the summer. Sky Sports’ Sacha Tavolieri claimed earlier this month that they could now consider offers worth €85m (£74.3m).
In even better news for United and Amorim, it’s believed that Baleba’s preference is to join United over Bayern Munich. The German champions are reportedly considering their own move for the Cameroonian amid uncertainty over Leon Goretzka’s future.
As well as Baleba, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is another wanted by United, but several Premier League rivals are also tracking the former Blackburn Rovers midfielder. Elliot Anderson has also emerged as a potential target for Amorim’s side, however, Nottingham Forest will reject any advances to sign the England international in January.
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If United fail to sign at least one, if not two, midfielders next month, it’s expected to impact Kobbie Mainoo’s hopes of securing a January exit. The 20-year-old is keen to leave United to get more game time, with Napoli among those interested in signing him, though the Reds do not want to sell and would prefer a loan move.
On the pitch, United are next in action when they host Bournemouth on Monday. The Reds will move up to fifth in the Premier League table if they manage to beat the Cherries at Old Trafford.