Baleba’s Brighton Pledge Forces Man Utd Rethink: Bundesliga Star New €50m Target

Carlos Baleba holds talks with Fabian Hürzeler as Man Utd watch on — January move now unlikely

A report claims Carlos Baleba has discussed his role with head coach Fabian Hürzeler at Brighton & Hove Albion, with the midfielder reaffirming commitment that could delay any Old Trafford push until the summer.

United sounded out Brighton over Baleba in the last window but baulked at a nine-figure valuation. The 21-year-old’s minutes and half-time withdrawals this season sparked fresh noise, yet the player is understood to have addressed form and fitness internally and, for now, is focused on competing for his place on the south coast.

United remain admirers, but a mid-season deal would require a softening of Brighton’s stance and a significant fee structure.

Why January is complicated

Brighton’s model is built on timing and control. Baleba has a long contract, resale upside and a role that Hürzeler believes can grow as the campaign settles.

Any sale in January would demand not only a premium but also a replacement plan mid-season, something Brighton historically resist unless the market breaks in their favour.

From United’s perspective, January is rarely optimal for top-end midfield business: integration time is short, prices are high and squad registration restrictions can limit impact in Europe.

Financially, after heavy attacking investment in the summer, a nine-figure outlay for a midfielder mid-campaign would need clear headroom and board alignment.

United’s alternatives and Amorim’s timeline

With Rúben Amorim under pressure to find balance, United have widened their longlist. Bundesliga performer Angelo Stiller has emerged as a monitored option, with reports in Germany suggesting a valuation around €50m and a player open to a summer step.

That figure sits well below Brighton’s private guidance on Baleba and aligns better with United’s preference to execute a larger midfield refresh at season’s end. Amorim’s staff value a press-resistant controller who can speed circulation, protect transitions and add range from deep, but the club’s planning increasingly points to a structured summer window rather than a reactive January swing.

For Brighton, clarity helps. Baleba’s conversations with Hürzeler formalise expectations around minutes and role, reduce noise in the dressing room and keep focus on performance. The Cameroonian’s blend of power, carry and recovery is a fit for Hürzeler’s vertical patterns, and recent displays hint at an uptick after a disrupted pre-season. If that trajectory holds, Brighton’s leverage strengthens and the calculus for all parties shifts toward June.

The headline, then: United interest is real, and Baleba is admired, but a winter move looks unlikely unless circumstances change dramatically. Expect United to keep scouting, Brighton to back their pathway, and the market to revisit the conversation once the window opens in the summer.