Just when you thought Manchester United were running out of money this window, they make an enquiry regarding Brighton & Hove Albion's rising star Carlos Baleba. The Red Devils have already spent £62.5m for Matheus Cunha, £70m for Bryan Mbeumo and will likely fork out upwards of £74m on Benjamin Sesko.
Despite this, IndyKaila reports that United have made contact with Baleba's entourage to express their interest in him. Brighton want £90m + £10m in add-ons for the Cameroonian but his contract situation could come to United's aid. The Red Devils value him at £70m but the player could step in and ask the Seagulls to lower their asking price.
Baleba has grown into one of the Premier League's most highly-rated defensive midfielders. He earned praise throughout last season at the Amex and could be an astounding signing, perhaps even more important than the trio mentioned.
If he were to arrive at Old Trafford he'd be following in the footsteps of his idol.
Man United target Carlos Baleba on his footballing idol
Baleba is seemingly on Ruben Amorim's radar as he boasts the ideal profile for the Portuguese's midfield, with intensity and energy. There are some traits of his game that hold similarities to a former Red Devils who he once named as his all-time favourite player:
"In the past my favourite player, role model, was Paul Pogba."
Carlos Baleba’s role model and favourite player was Paul Pogba bring him to Old Trafford immediately pic.twitter.com/nKNVarCysw
— Yahya (@UtdYahz) August 6, 2025
Pogba spent two spells at United and while he wasn't an overwhelming success he was certainly a joy to watch with his grace on the ball, strength and exceptional vision. The Frenchman made a big-money move to Old Trafford of his own back in 2016 when he re-joined the Reds in a then-world record £89m deal.
Baleba also idolised two other former Premier League midfielders but put Pogba top (via LOSC Lille's website):
"I had a lot of idols that I watched on TV, especially in midfield: Paul Pogba at first, Kevin De Bruyne at second, and Thiago Alcantara at third. I watched them, I tried to imitate what they did. I never had any other dream than football."
Baleba could join a midfield consisting of Bruno Fernandes who played alongside Pogba during the French 2022 World Cup winner's second spell. They built a strong partnership in the middle of the park.
Baleba wouldn't be the first potential United signing walking in his idol's footsteps this summer
Zlatan Ibrahimovic also played with Pogba and even advised United to build the team around the former France international and Marcus Rashford. The iconic Swede enjoyed a stellar debut season at the Theatre of Dreams, a campaign many will be hoping Sesko encounters.
The Slovenian is closing in on a move and will become Amorim's new number nine, perhaps battling it out with Viktor Gyokeres in the season opener against Arsenal (August 17). He once spoke of his admiration for Ibrahimovic who he has been likened to:
“Zlatan Ibrahimovic was my idol. I’m not saying I play like him but he was having fun, enjoying himself on the pitch, doing what he wanted to do. It makes me really happy when I see that kind of player. Every single video I could find, I was looking at him."
You could argue that United are building a team that mirrors former players including Sesko and Baleba. Should they arrive this summr, alongside Mbeumo and Cunha, it could be one of the best post-Sir Alex Ferguson seasons.
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