Club monitoring the midfielder but head coach Ruben Amorim has downplayed the likelihood of any signings this month
Manchester United are exploring conditions of a potential January move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Brighton are keen to keep the 22-year-old at least until the summer, when there is expected to be strong demand for central midfielders across Europe.
Baleba fits a profile United have been tracking closely. Ruben Amorim is keen to add athleticism and physical presence to his midfield, and the Cameroon international has been on United’s radar since last summer, when Brighton were unwilling to negotiate below a figure well in excess of £100m.
United remain focused on the summer window. It is understood their priority for 2026 is to sign at least one, and possibly two, top-level central midfielders. January business is not ruled out entirely, but only if what the club considers a good opportunity in the market emerges.
Baleba is among several midfielders being monitored. United’s list also includes Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Wolves’ Joao Gomes. Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves and Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher have been targeted. Younger prospects such as Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi and Olympiakos teenager Christos Mouzakitis are also being tracked.
Despite the speculation, Amorim has already downplayed the likelihood of any signings this month.
“The transfer window is not going to change,” Amorim said. “We have no conversation in this moment to have any change in the squad. There’s the process. There’s an idea that is going to continue.”
Baleba has made 19 appearances for Brighton this season, starting most of those games but completing the full 90 minutes only twice. He remains under contract until 2029 and has stressed his commitment to the club.
“I don’t think it affected me negatively, but I had a lot of pressure on me,” Baleba said of United’s interest in him in December. “When I started this season, I wanted to show the same performances as last season. It’s good for me, because now I have to get through this slightly stressful, get back on the horse, and continue working hard.”
