Man United academy graduate called Carlos Baleba a 'world-beater’ before transfer links

Man United academy graduate called Carlos Baleba a 'world-beater’ before transfer links

Manchester United are interested in signing Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, who has been tipped to go right to the very top in football by one former Red Devils academy graduate

Carlos Baleba has been linked with a move to Old Trafford (Image: 2025 Allstar)

Danny Welbeck tipped Carlos Baleba to become one of the best in his position, before Manchester United identified him as a transfer target.

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United head coach Ruben Amorim has been busy enhancing his attack this summer but is now shifting focus to midfield reinforcements. The Red Devils kicked off their transfer activity by acquiring Matheus Cunha from Wolves for a hefty £62.5million, followed by a £71m outlay on Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, with 18-year-old defensive talent Diego Leon joining in the midst of those signings.

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Benjamin Sesko is nearing a high-profile switch to Old Trafford. It appears once a deal for the RB Leipzig ace is finalised, United may well pursue Baleba, who has been a shining light for Brighton & Hove Albion.

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He has previously caught the attention of Chelsea in the past, impressing with his performances under Fabian Hurzeler. His abilities have not only caught United's interest but also earned praise from team-mate and Red Devils academy graduate Welbeck.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex in November last year, Welbeck shared his views on the 21-year-old midfielder. The former Arsenal player said: "He can be unstoppable.

"If he keeps up with that desire and passion, he can go right to the top. He's got all of the attributes to be a world-beater."

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Welbeck isn't the only ex-United player taken with Baleba's talent. Rio Ferdinand has also expressed his desire to see the young midfielder at Old Trafford.

On his Rio Presents podcast, the former England and United captain said: "I'm being greedy, and [if] we are able to shift the other players that are surplus to requirements, I'd be going for Baleba in midfield.

Welbeck is a huge admirer of Baleba (Image: Mike Hewitt, Getty Images)

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"[He] beats the press on a regular basis. [He's] confident on the ball. [He] can move, is mobile. He is a Ruben Amorim midfielder."

The Athletic reports United have initiated talks with Brighton regarding Baleba, but they would need to offload some players deemed surplus, like Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho, before tabling a significant offer for him. With three years remaining on his contract, Brighton are in a strong position to command a hefty fee for Baleba.

Previously, the Seagulls received a record-breaking £115m from Chelsea for Moises Caicedo. Brighton might ask for a similar amount for Baleba, although United reportedly value him closer to £70m.

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Ruben Amorim is looking to bolster Manchester United's midfield (Image: Kevin C. Cox - Premier League, Getty Images)

Brighton's chief executive Paul Barber, when quizzed about United's interest in Baleba at a fan event, said: "We will always try to make sure we sell our best players at the right time, not just for the player but for us.

"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.

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"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."

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