Fabrizio Romano is confident that Manchester United won’t give up on signing Carlos Baleba, even if it means waiting another year to get their hands on their main midfield target.
The 21-year-old has been developing his game at Brighton since joining the Premier League club in the summer of 2023. Despite his young age, he has already established himself as one of the finest defensive midfielders in the English top flight.
Therefore, Man Utd identified Baleba as the perfect candidate to strengthen their midfield this season, as Ruben Amorim has specifically requested the arrival of a ball-winning enforcer who can connect with Bruno Fernandes in the double pivot.
Carlos Baleba tops Man Utd wishlist
While the young Cameroonian has been keen to join his compatriots Andre Onana and Bryan Mbeumo, Brighton have no desire to sell him this summer, especially with only a couple of weeks separating us from deadline day.
On Saturday, reports in the English media revealed that Man Utd have decided to abandon their attempts to buy Baleba without even launching a concrete offer.
INEOS have seemingly realised that convincing the Seagulls to do business this summer is an impossible mission, so they’re expected to seek alternative solutions, including Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand.
Man United ready to pursue Baleba once again in 2026
While Romano doesn’t necessarily rebuff this notion, he’s reporting a slightly different version of events. In the latest update posted on his YouTube channel, the Italian journalist insists that United haven’t given up on their dream of signing Baleba, but simply postponed it to next summer.
As the transfer market insider explains, Amorim is a keen admirer of the young Cameroonian, and if INEOS can’t lure him to Carrington this year, they will try their luck in 2026. This is something that Romano ‘guarantees’.
Therefore, it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese manager would be willing to keep his midfield department intact this summer while awaiting the possible arrival of Baleba next summer, or if the club will bring in a stopgap solution in the meantime.
Baleba next season, but we must bring in Hjulmand now. He is a leader and know the system well.
A goalkeeper has to be brought in also.
Against Arsenal tomorrow, both Cunha, and Mbeumo will have to give the midfield some help when needed. Arsenal are superior in midfield with Odegard, Zubimendi, and Rice. We must win the battle here.
He could play an extra midfielder tomorrow and start one of mbeumo or cunha on the bench? I think you’re right though, United are going to struggle in midfield if he plays just one midfielder with Bruno tomorrow
You see we didn’t struggle
Arsenal and Manchester United has strength in different position
Arsenal has a better midfield, Manchester United has a better attack
We need Baleba