Brighton Still Wants $130M for Carlos Baleba. That’s Why United Walked Away.

Manchester United’s midfield rebuild is hitting the same wall over and over. The asking prices just aren’t coming down.

Carlos Baleba was their guy last summer. Personal terms were agreed, the player wanted the move, and United’s ownership saw him as the long-term replacement for Casemiro. But Brighton wanted £100 million — roughly $130 million at current rates — and United balked.

You’d think after a season where the 22-year-old Cameroonian didn’t exactly tear it up on the south coast, that price tag might shrink. It didn’t. According to the Manchester Evening News, Brighton’s valuation hasn’t budged.

Baleba is now the third midfielder United have backed away from in the last 12 months because of sticker shock. Ederson was signed, sure, but he’s more of a depth piece than a true defensive midfield solution. The real targets — Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali — were priced out of reach. Then Tottenham swooped in and blew United out of the water on Mateus Fernandes.

So here we are. Bournemouth is now driving up the price on Alex Scott. And United keeps running into the same problem: Premier League clubs know INEOS has money, and they’re not afraid to make them pay for it.

The Brighton Problem

Brighton doesn’t really need to sell. That’s the thing. They’ve mastered the art of holding out for their number, even when a player’s form dips. Baleba struggled through parts of last season, but the Seagulls are treating him like an asset that hasn’t depreciated. Maybe they’re right. Maybe another club pays it. But United isn’t going to be that club right now.

What’s Left on the Board

INEOS has cheaper options. Tyler Adams and Sander Berge are both on the radar — lower cost, less drama. Or they could look outside the Premier League entirely. Names like Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and even Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi have been floated. But none of those feel like done deals either.

United’s midfield shopping list is getting shorter and the clock is ticking. Brighton is holding firm. And unless something changes, this is another transfer window where United walks away from a player they clearly wanted.