Manchester United are closing in on a deal to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, a move that could reshape the club's midfield options under head coach Michael Carrick, though questions remain about which version of the 22-year-old they will be getting.
Baleba's career path has been anything but conventional. Raised in Cameroon, he was put through an intense training regime by his footballer father from the age of 10 before joining Lille on his 18th birthday. His performances in France caught the attention of Jamestown Analytics, the data-driven recruitment operation that has quietly powered many of Brighton's shrewdest signings, and he arrived at the Amex Stadium for £23m.
His Premier League debut start left a strong impression, with Baleba starring in a frantic 2-2 draw against Liverpool despite the personal weight of having lost his mother just months earlier. Then-Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi was effusive in his praise afterwards, saying, "He's very young, a very good player with incredible potential, and he can be one of the most important midfielders in Europe in the future."
That early promise was tempered by a difficult follow-up performance in a 2-1 loss to Manchester City, after which Baleba admitted he had struggled to cope with the pace of Premier League football. He gradually adapted, and by his second season he had become a key figure for Brighton, ranking among the league's leaders in ball recoveries and interceptions while breaking up opposition attacks with his mobility.
What set Baleba apart, though, was his contribution going forward. Having developed as a winger in his youth, he showed an ability to escape tight spaces, carry the ball at pace, and contribute progressive runs that placed him among the best in Europe in that metric for his position. His heading ability also stood out relative to his 5ft 10in frame.
United's interest intensified last summer, when they were prepared to offer up to £70m, but Brighton held out for a fee exceeding £100m — comparable to the £115m Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo. The clubs could not bridge that gap, and the ongoing speculation appeared to weigh on Baleba during a stop-start campaign last season. Persistent injury problems, combined with a fixture list disrupted by the Africa Cup of Nations, meant he completed only three full 90-minute Premier League appearances all season. His lowest point came in February against Aston Villa, when manager Fabian Hurzeler withdrew a visibly upset Baleba after just 22 minutes to prevent a second yellow card.
Despite the inconsistency, few doubt his long-term ceiling. Reflecting on his early development at Lille, Baleba admitted, "Defensively, tactically, I can say it: [I was] rubbish, zero," underlining how far he has progressed and suggesting there is still more improvement to come under Carrick's guidance.
Should the transfer go through, Baleba could form a compelling partnership with Youri Tielemans, signed by United earlier this summer from Aston Villa. The Belgian's calm, incisive passing style would complement Baleba's more dynamic, ground-covering approach, while academy product Kobbie Mainoo and new arrival Andrey Santos could help cover deeper build-up duties that do not always suit Baleba's game.
For United, the pursuit of Baleba also reflects a broader shift in recruitment strategy — one built around Premier League-proven talent, balanced squad age, and patience rather than reactive spending. Sesko, Mainoo, Lammens, Amad Diallo and now potentially Baleba represent a core the club hopes can deliver sustained success at Old Trafford in the years ahead.
Based on reporting from The Independent.