Brighton's Carlos Baleba has emerged as a potential solution to Manchester United's midfield conundrum, with sources suggesting the club could accept a lower fee of around £60 million for the 22-year-old Cameroonian. Initially valued at £100 million last summer, Baleba's stock has fluctuated following a difficult 2025-26 campaign marked by transfer speculation, injuries, and inconsistent performances.

A proven Premier League performer, Baleba arrived from Lille in 2023 for £24 million and has made 92 appearances, earning praise for his combative style, stamina, and passing range. Fundamentally a defensive midfielder, he relies on tactical awareness rather than pure disruption, making him a theoretical like-for-like replacement for Casemiro, though he lacks the Brazilian's goal threat and late runs into the box.

His strengths include exceptional athleticism—he was one of just two central midfielders to exceed 34 kilometers per hour in 2024-25—and strong defensive output with 92 combined tackles and interceptions that season. However, his passing remains inconsistent, and he offers minimal goal threat.

Despite United's recent £85 million investment in midfielders Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, Baleba could provide the physical presence needed to partner Tielemans in Michael Carrick's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. The club has monitored him for over a year, suggesting genuine long-term interest.