Manchester United Seal £40m Striker Deal as Carlos Baleba Emerges as Midfield Target in Ambitious Summer Rebuild
Manchester United have officially confirmed the arrival of a Dutch striker in a deal worth £40 million, and in a gesture that shows just how much faith the club has in him, they’ve handed him one of their most iconic shirt numbers. The player has already landed in Manchester and is set to be unveiled today, marking an exciting moment for United fans eager to see the club’s attacking line reinforced.
The signing is part of a broader plan to overhaul United’s forward options this summer. The Red Devils have already secured Matheus Cunha from Wolves and submitted a formal bid for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo. Talks are also ongoing with Sporting CP over a potential move for Viktor Gyokeres. These moves clearly indicate a major revamp of the frontline following a poor goal return last season.
While attention is heavily focused on strengthening the attack, the midfield is another area in need of improvement. Although Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, and Toby Collyer are available for domestic duties, United still seem to lack the right balance in the middle. One name emerging as a serious target is Carlos Baleba of Brighton and Hove Albion.
Since his arrival at Brighton in 2023, the Cameroonian midfielder has made a real impression. He played 34 Premier League matches last season, scored three goals, and added an assist. One of his standout performances came in Brighton’s win over Manchester City, where his physicality, ball progression, and intelligent passing were on full display.
Baleba’s playing style is aggressive and commanding. Unlike Ugarte, who is more of a ball-winner, Baleba can control the tempo and break lines with both his carries and passes. His stats back this up—he averaged 6.5 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, ranking him seventh among midfielders who played over 900 minutes. He also placed fourth in progressive carries per 90, behind only players from Liverpool and Manchester City, underlining his forward-thinking approach.
Tactically, Baleba could prove invaluable for manager Rúben Amorim. He would be a great partner to Ugarte in a high-energy duo or serve as a mobile complement to the more static presence of Mainoo or Casemiro. His ability to cover large areas of the pitch suits Amorim’s reported desire for dynamic, all-action midfielders.
From a transfer perspective, Baleba fits United’s new recruitment philosophy. At just 21, he already has Premier League experience and room to grow further. Brighton may demand a hefty fee—despite Transfermarkt valuing him at €40 million, the Seagulls are known for driving a hard bargain. Even so, United may have room to maneuver financially, especially if players like Jadon Sancho, Antony, Marcus Rashford, or Alejandro Garnacho are sold to create space and funds.
In summary, Carlos Baleba is emerging as a smart and exciting midfield option for Manchester United. His mix of youth, strength, intelligence, and Premier League experience makes him a near-perfect candidate to strengthen Amorim’s new-look team. If the financials align, Baleba’s signing could mark a major step forward in United’s rebuild.
