 "Man United target Carlos Baleba, but already have a midfield gem rated by 10 Ballon d'Or winners")
After enduring a tough spell in the league in 2024/25, finishing 15th, Manchester United have splurged heavily in the summer transfer window ahead of the start of the 2025/26 season. United splashed £62.5 million to bring Matheus Cunha from Wolves, then they waited patiently to crack the deal for Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford and eventually brought him to Old Trafford at a transfer fee of £71 million.
They did not stop there, as they defeated Newcastle to sign Benjamin Sesko. United paid £76.5m to acquire the services of the attacker from RB Leipzig. Having spent over £200 million, the Red Devils are seemingly still not satisfied, and according to multiple reports published by the English media, the club has set its sights on the 21-year-old Brighton midfielder, Carlos Baleba.
Given that age is on his side and the skills he possesses, Brighton will ask United a fortune for the player. A price of £100 million seems customary for Baleba. Considering that Ruben Amorim-coached United haven’t been able to sell their players, except for Marcus Rashford, who was loaned to FC Barcelona, arranging funds for Baleba may go heavy on the pocket of INEOS. However, if they have made up their mind to bring the player to the Theatre of Dreams, then no one can stop them.
Does United really need Baleba?
Nonetheless, the question of whether they need the player is also a question they need to figure out an answer to. When they already have a 20-year-old Kobbie Mainoo operating at the centre midfield position, then what is the need for Baleba?
Mainoo is seen as one of the most exciting talents in the entirety of Europe. The player’s talent got recognition when he finished third in last year’s Kopa Trophy (Awarded to the best footballer under the age of 21). He finished after Lamine Yamal (winner) and Arda Guler.
The Kopa award is decided by a panel of former Ballon d’Or winners. 10 Ballon d’Or winners - Michael Owen, Marco van Basten, Kaka, Andriy Shevchenko, Ruud Gullit, Pavel Nedved, Matthias Sammer, Jean-Pierre Papin, Igor Belanov and Gianni Rivera - ranked Mainoo in the top three.
Mainoo missed out on this year’s shortlist for the same award as a string of injuries hampered his season and derailed his contention. However, with the talent he has, fans are hopeful that he will cut out a fit image this time on the field and emerge as a huge revelation for the club.
So, what do you think, football enthusiasts, should United still go for Baleba?
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