Manchester United revive interest in Carlos Baleba, Romano confirms
Romano: Manchester United remain keen on Carlos Baleba; a 2025 verbal deal still stands as the club eyes a summer 2026 bid amid budget and managerial questions.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Manchester United continue to view Carlos Baleba as a potential midfield reinforcement, with the player said to still favour a move to Old Trafford. The update makes clear that a verbal understanding reached in August 2025 remains relevant into 2026, even though Brighton & Hove Albion have resisted previous approaches.
Romano confirms Baleba remains on United shortlist
Fabrizio Romano told his audience that Baleba was a “top target” for Manchester United last summer and that interest has not been dropped. He indicated the player remains on the club’s shortlist as United assess possible midfield additions ahead of the 2026 summer window.
Romano added that while nothing is advanced or finalised at this stage, the verbal agreement from August 2025 continues to be meaningful for both the player and United’s recruitment team. The journalist also said United considered revisiting the transfer in January 2026 before deciding to wait for the summer.
How the August 2025 understanding unfolded
According to Romano’s reporting, Manchester United reached an agreement in principle with Baleba on personal terms in August 2025, a negotiation that did not culminate in a transfer due to Brighton’s refusal to sell. That same dynamic reappeared in January 2026 when United again explored the option but were unable to secure Brighton’s cooperation.
Those events established a clear pattern: a player willing to join United, a club intent on keeping him, and an agreement between player and suitor that has so far been constrained by Brighton’s position. Romano framed the August 2025 accord as a verbal understanding that remains intact into the 2026 transfer planning cycle.
Brighton’s stance and selling strategy
Brighton’s reluctance to part with Baleba has been the principal barrier to a deal, according to the reporting, reflecting the club’s broader approach to protecting key young assets. The Sussex club’s stance has repeatedly been described as selling only under terms and timing that align with their recruitment and sporting strategy.
That resistance is likely to shape any potential summer 2026 discussions, with Brighton able to command leverage both on valuation and on the timetable for any move. United will have to weigh that challenge against their own priorities and whether they are prepared to meet Brighton’s conditions.
Managerial appointment and budgetary constraints
Romano highlighted managerial and budget decisions as major variables that will influence Manchester United’s actions on Baleba. The arrival of a permanent manager and the confirmation of transfer budgets are cited as prerequisites to committing to high-profile midfield reinforcements.
These internal factors mean that even an existing verbal agreement does not guarantee an immediate transfer unless United’s hierarchy authorises expenditure and integrates the signing into sporting plans. The combination of financial prudence and managerial preferences will therefore be decisive in the coming months.
Scouting department’s view and midfield needs
Sources cited by Romano suggest that Baleba remains a player admired by United’s scouting department as well as by figures inside the club, reflecting a genuine fit for the team’s midfield blueprint. United’s interest appears to be driven by a search for dynamic, versatile midfield profiles capable of influencing both defensive structure and transition play.
How Baleba would slot into United’s system will depend on the permanent manager’s tactical demands, which further underscores why the club is not rushing a deal. The scouting endorsement preserves Baleba’s place on the shortlist while United balances squad needs and market opportunities.
Player stance and the significance of a verbal agreement
Romano reported that Baleba himself remains keen on a move to Manchester United, and that his verbal agreement from August 2025 is still regarded as valid into 2026. That personal willingness simplifies one dimension of negotiations but does not override Brighton’s right to decline offers or set terms.
A verbal personal agreement typically serves as a framework that can hasten formal talks when clubs reach terms, but it cannot compel a sale. For United, having a receptive player reduces a layer of negotiation, yet the club must still secure Brighton’s consent and agree on a fee and conditions that satisfy both parties.
Timeline and next steps ahead of summer 2026
Romano suggested Manchester United could revisit the Baleba question in the summer transfer window of 2026, contingent on the club’s internal decisions and Brighton’s disposition. The summer window will allow all involved to reassess positions once managerial appointments, budgets, and squad planning are clearer.
Between now and the summer, monitoring of Baleba’s situation at Brighton and United’s evolving priorities will determine whether talks advance. Supporters and observers should expect cautious, measured manoeuvring rather than an immediate spike in activity until those broader uncertainties are resolved.
Carlos Baleba’s continued presence on Manchester United’s radar highlights the club’s ongoing efforts to refresh its midfield options while navigating constraints set by a selling club and internal decision-making. The coming weeks and months should reveal whether the existing verbal agreement can be converted into a formal transfer or whether Brighton will again hold firm.
