By OkayGoal 
Baleba’s Rise Has Been Nothing Short of Remarkable
Since arriving at the AMEX Stadium from Lille in 2023 — filling the void left by Moises Caicedo’s £115m Chelsea move — Baleba has quietly become one of the Premier League’s most coveted defensive midfielders. Now 108 appearances into his Brighton career, he’s no longer a prospect. He’s the real deal.
United actually agreed personal terms with him last summer, but the deal collapsed. With Casemiro confirmed to be leaving at season’s end and Manuel Ugarte’s future hanging in the balance, Ruben Amorim desperately needs a reliable holding midfielder — and Baleba ticks every box.
Brighton Green-Light Baleba Exit — But Chelsea Are Also Circling
Here’s where it gets interesting. Brighton are now open to selling, which is a significant shift. But United won’t have things their own way — Chelsea are sniffing around too, and the Blues never shy away from a spending battle.
With Baleba’s Transfermarkt valuation sitting at £47m, United will need to go big and go early. Sentiment won’t win this one — hard cash will.
If Amorim’s men are serious about Champions League football next season, sorting out the midfield engine room isn’t optional. Baleba could be the cornerstone of that rebuild.