“I love the club, it’s been my childhood dream. I grew up looking up to heroes like Scholes, Rooney, Ronaldo and even Carrick, who is now the head coach. After speaking with the manager, he assured me and I’ve made up my mind,” he reportedly revealed.
The midfielder is also said to be keen on leaving Brighton and has reportedly asked the club to reduce his £100 million asking price to help make the move to Old Trafford possible. He reportedly believes lowering the fee would give Manchester United a better chance of completing the deal this summer.
A HUGE STATEMENT AHEAD OF A POTENTIAL MOVE TO OLD TRAFFORD
Carlos Baleba has taken a decisive step towards realising a long-held ambition by publicly signalling his desire to join Manchester United, according to multiple reports circulating on Wednesday. The 22-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder is said to have spoken openly about his affection for the Red Devils, describing a move to Old Trafford as a childhood dream and confirming that conversations with the current management have solidified his decision.
In the comments attributed to the Cameroon international, Baleba referenced a list of United legends who shaped his footballing education: Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Carrick. The latter’s presence as head coach is understood to have carried particular significance. After speaking directly with Carrick, Baleba is reported to have been reassured about his potential role and the direction of the project, leading him to make up his mind firmly in favour of a switch to Manchester.
Equally striking is the suggestion that Baleba has gone further than simply expressing a preference. Sources claim the player has asked Brighton to lower their reported £100 million asking price in an effort to facilitate a deal this summer. By urging his current club to show flexibility on the valuation, Baleba appears to be actively working to remove a major obstacle that has previously stalled negotiations. He is said to believe that a more realistic fee would significantly improve Manchester United’s chances of completing the transfer before the window closes.
The development represents a notable escalation in a saga that has simmered for more than a year. United first identified Baleba as a high-priority midfield target in the summer of 2025, drawn by his physicality, ball-winning ability, progressive passing and impressive athleticism. At that stage Brighton valued their prized asset in excess of £100 million, a figure that ultimately proved prohibitive. Talks cooled, and Baleba remained on the south coast, continuing his development under the Seagulls while earning regular recognition with the Cameroon national team.
This summer the picture has shifted. United have already strengthened their midfield with the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, yet the search for a third addition — ideally a dynamic, defensive-minded presence capable of controlling the tempo and covering ground — has continued. Baleba’s name has consistently reappeared on shortlists, and recent reports indicated that the player’s representatives had themselves initiated contact to gauge whether United remained interested. The latest claims suggest that interest is very much mutual and that the midfielder is now prepared to play an active role in making the transfer happen.
Baleba’s profile explains the enduring attraction. Born on 3 January 2004 in Douala, Cameroon, he progressed through the ranks at EF Brasseries du Cameroun before moving to Lille, where he made his professional debut in Ligue 1. Brighton secured his signature in August 2023 for a fee reported around €27 million plus add-ons. In the Premier League he has established himself as one of the division’s most promising young midfielders, combining defensive steel with the ability to carry the ball forward and contribute in the final third. His physical attributes — strength, stamina and recovery pace — make him well suited to the intensity of English football, while his technical improvement has been steady and noticeable.
At 22 he still has considerable upside. Those who have coached and played alongside him speak of a player with a strong mentality, a willingness to learn and the capacity to handle the pressure that comes with representing a club of United’s stature. His international experience with Cameroon has further hardened him for high-stakes environments. The combination of age, existing Premier League pedigree and room for growth is precisely the profile United have sought as they continue to reshape the squad.
The reported request for Brighton to reduce their valuation introduces a new and potentially decisive element. Clubs of Brighton’s stature have become adept at maximising the value of their best assets, and a £100 million price tag reflects both Baleba’s quality and the Seagulls’ negotiating position. Yet when a player of his importance actively campaigns for a lower fee in order to join a specific club, the dynamics change. Brighton must weigh the short-term financial gain against the risk of retaining a midfielder whose heart is clearly elsewhere. A protracted dispute could affect performances and dressing-room harmony; a more pragmatic approach might allow the club to reinvest in the squad while maintaining a positive relationship with a departing player.
For Manchester United the situation is equally nuanced. The club has already invested significantly in midfield this window and must remain disciplined with the overall budget. A fee closer to the £60-70 million range previously floated in some reports would be far more digestible than the original £100 million demand. Personal terms are not expected to present major difficulties; earlier conversations between the player and the club are understood to have been positive. The decisive factors now appear to be Brighton’s willingness to negotiate and United’s readiness to commit to a concrete offer.
Carrick’s involvement is a recurring theme in the latest reports. As a former United midfielder of the highest class, the head coach carries natural authority when speaking to a young player who grew up admiring the club’s midfield traditions. Assurances about playing style, role within the team and long-term vision are said to have resonated strongly with Baleba. In an era when player choice often determines the outcome of transfer negotiations, that personal connection can prove more influential than pure financial muscle.
The broader context at Old Trafford adds further weight to the story. United are in the midst of a multi-year rebuild aimed at restoring the club to consistent contention for major honours. Adding a young, high-ceiling midfielder who already knows the Premier League and is desperate to wear the shirt aligns with that strategy. Baleba would provide competition and cover in central areas, inject energy into the press, and offer a different profile from the midfielders already recruited. His presence could also free others to play higher or more creatively, creating a more balanced and resilient engine room.
Brighton, meanwhile, face the familiar challenge of balancing ambition with financial reality. The club has built a reputation for developing and selling talent at premium prices while remaining competitive. Losing Baleba would create a significant vacancy in midfield, yet the funds generated could accelerate recruitment in other areas. How the Seagulls respond to the player’s reported request will be closely watched. A firm stance risks alienating a key squad member; flexibility could unlock a deal that satisfies all parties.
As the summer window enters its decisive phase, the coming days will reveal whether Baleba’s public declaration translates into concrete progress. Agreement on a fee remains the central hurdle. If Brighton show willingness to move from their previous valuation and United match that flexibility with a formal bid, a transfer that once appeared distant could move rapidly towards completion. Medicals, personal terms and the formalities of a Premier League deal would still need to be navigated, yet the foundational elements — player desire, managerial endorsement and mutual interest — appear to be aligning.
Baleba’s reported words capture the romance that still surrounds Manchester United for many young footballers. Growing up watching Scholes dictate midfield, Rooney lead the line, Ronaldo terrorise defences and Carrick control games from deep, the Cameroonian midfielder has now reached a point where those childhood heroes form part of the living history of the club he hopes to join. That Carrick himself now occupies the dugout only deepens the narrative.
Whether the transfer materialises this summer or the story takes another twist remains to be seen. What is clear is that Carlos Baleba has drawn a line in the sand. He has declared his love for Manchester United, confirmed that conversations with the manager have removed any remaining doubt, and taken the unusual step of urging his current club to help make the dream possible by moderating their financial demands. In doing so he has placed the ball firmly in the court of Brighton and United. The response of both clubs will determine whether one of the Premier League’s most intriguing young midfielders is soon pulling on the famous red shirt at Old Trafford.
