Manchester United will have to raise serious funds to stand any chance of luring Carlos Baleba away from Brighton and Hove Albion this summer, and the club’s fans are trying to do their bit. The Red Devils have made contact with Brighton over a potential transfer, but all parties accept that it is a very difficult deal to agree.
United have already splashed more than anyone expected by signing Wolves’ Matheus Cunha and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo for a combined £133.5million. Benjamin Sesko’s imminent £74m arrival from RB Leipzig will elevate that spending above £200m, despite there being no player sales at Old Trafford yet this summer.
There is an early expectation that Brighton will demand in the region of £100m to part ways with Baleba, a similar fee to that of Declan Rice, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.
And United supporters have gone out of their way to attempt to help their club collate enough pennies to make a concrete approach.
Ian M, a fan from England, has hilariously started a GoFundMe pot, which, at the time of writing, has accumulated £5 of the £120m target.
It is not clear whether Ian was the donor of that £5, but it’s safe to say there is a long way to go…
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The fundraiser’s description reads: “We need this to happen we need this to happen we need this to happen we need this to happen.”
When you access the page, a notification states: “‘Give £20 and be one of the first to donate – your donation is the start of Ian’s journey to success. Your early support inspires others to donate.”
It’s safe to say that Baleba fever has struck among the United fanbase, who were already on cloud nine after beating Newcastle United to Sesko’s signature.
While a successful swoop for the 21-year-old midfielder appears unlikely this summer, the Red Devils’ ambition after a dismal 2024/25 season has sparked encouragement.
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Baleba has flourished into one of the Premier League’s most exciting midfielders, featuring 34 times for Fabian Hurzeler’s side last term.
He arrived from Lille in a £26m deal in 2023, and the Seagulls could at least quadruple that transfer fee once they cash in.
United will likely require player sales to fund a move. Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia are still exiled at Carrington.
Rasmus Hojlund is also expected to depart once Sesko lands in Manchester, with AC Milan reportedly interested in taking him back to Serie A.