Manchester United Accelerates Pursuit of Carlos Baleba as Brighton Lowers Valuation to £73 Million

Manchester United moves to secure Carlos Baleba from Brighton as INEOS targets a massive midfield rebuild following a lowered £73 million valuation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 5:46 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

Strategic Midfield Overhaul Begins at Old Trafford

The hierarchy at Manchester United has initiated fresh discussions to secure Brighton and Hove Albion standout Carlos Baleba, signaling a decisive shift in their summer recruitment strategy. After a season where the squad faced criticism for a lack of midfield depth, the club is now moving with increased urgency to finalize a deal before the window officially opens. This acceleration comes as the sporting department looks to rebuild a central core that has struggled for consistency and physical presence in recent campaigns.

Market Adjustments Facilitate Renewed Negotiations

The path to a potential transfer was previously blocked by Brighton’s substantial financial demands, which once exceeded the £100 million mark. However, recent developments indicate that the Seagulls have adjusted their expectations, with reports from Belgian media suggesting a new valuation closer to £73 million. This significant reduction has effectively brought Manchester United back to the table, as the revised figure aligns more closely with the budgetary constraints and valuation models utilized by the INEOS sporting group.

High Stakes Transitions in the Red Devils Engine Room

The pursuit of the Cameroonian international is heavily influenced by the impending exodus of established stars at Carrington. With Casemiro reportedly set to depart on a free transfer and Manuel Ugarte’s future appearing increasingly uncertain, the club is facing a vacuum in defensive midfield. Internal scouting reports suggest that the club is not merely looking for a single replacement, but is instead planning to integrate at least two, and potentially three, new profiles to ensure the squad can meet the physical demands of high-level competition.