Carlos Baleba immediately causing a stir sends clear message to Man United dressing room

Carlos Baleba immediately causing a stir sends clear message to Man United dressing room

Manchester United transfer target and Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba has been given a ringing endorsement by a current Premier League star and former Lille team-mate

Carlos Baleba is on Manchester United's radar (Image: Getty Images)

Manchester United have been told what to expect from Carlos Baleba if they land the coveted Brighton midfielder.

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With United close to securing RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, focus has also turned to bolstering Ruben Amorim's midfield options, with Baleba emerging as a key target.

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The Athletic reports that contact has already been made with the south coast club, although his arrival would need to be coupled with departures following United's summer spending spree.

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The 21-year-old has been outstanding since his 2023 switch from Lille. Aston Villa's Amadou Onana was at the French side with a young Baleba and witnessed his ruthless approach when promoted to first-team training.

Onana told the Inside Scoop: "When I arrived, he was playing with the B team. I just saw a strong kid, he's the strongest kid I've ever seen. Jacked! He used to come up [to train with the first team] and be free, he'd bully the pros.

"He's done his thing and I always knew he had what it takes to get to the high level. He's a really good kid, really humble, works hard."

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Amadou Onana was left hugely impressed by Baleba at Lille (Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Brighton could potentially ask for as much as £100m for Baleba, who still has three years remaining on his contract with the club.

United are believed to value him at closer to £70m and it's been suggested that Baleba might request Brighton to reduce their asking price. Regardless, United will likely need to offload players before stumping up such a fee.

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Brighton's chief executive, Paul Barber, has addressed the speculation surrounding Baleba. Speaking at a fans' forum via BBC Sussex, he said: "We've got some great talent, there's always going to be interest in our players.

"Manchester United have not been in touch with me. So from that point of view, speculation is speculation. We will always try to make sure we sell our best players at the right time, not just for the player but for us.

Paul Barber has addressed United's reported interest in Baleba (Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

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"If we end up doing that with any player, it's with the view to leave Fabian [head coach Hurzeler] with a very competitive squad, whatever happens. We don't want to sell our best players.

"Carlos is a fantastic talent who has a lot of years ahead of him. We hope he will be here for many years to come. But it's something that, as always, is subjective to the dynamics of the football world, which isn't always predictable."

First, United are looking to finalise a deal for Sesko, having lodged a bid of around £65.3m plus £8.7m in add-ons. Newcastle also want the Slovenian, but he is believed to be favouring a move to Old Trafford.

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