Well-planned: Manchester United is confident of securing their No. 1 target player this summer.
On 15 Jan 2026 GMT+7, The Sun, a leading British media outlet, reported that Manchester United, a Premier League giant, is increasingly confident they will sign Carlos Baleba, a midfielder from Brighton, as planned this summer.
Carlos Baleba, a Cameroon international midfielder, has long been a Manchester United target but the club was unable to strengthen their midfield with him last summer. This was after the "Red Devils" spent over £200 million signing three attackers: Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko.
Meanwhile, Brighton has set Baleba's price between £80-100 million. Thus, Manchester United is unlikely to make a move in the January transfer window to strengthen the squad under interim manager Michael Carrick, who will lead the team until season's end.
However, sources say Manchester United is growing increasingly confident about signing Carlos Baleba this summer, as club executives are planning a restructuring of the senior squad. Various plans are underway to reinforce the team for the next permanent manager.
Manchester United sees the upcoming summer transfer window as the perfect opportunity and has saved funds from the winter window to make a major move after the season finishes. They believe that will be when Brighton is ready to consider offers for Carlos Baleba.
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