SKY SPORTS CONFIRMS MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE EXPLORED CONDITIONS FOR A CARLOS BALEBA TRANSFER
Manchester United have explored a move for Brighton's Carlos Baleba. Discover why the Seagulls are demanding a record £100m fee.
Manchester United wants to test Brighton’s resolve for Carlos Baleba this month, or so the story goes.
A Sky Sports reporter who covers the South Coast said United have been talking about moving for Baleba in January. The midfielder’s currently in good form for Cameroon at AFCON, bracing for a tough last-16 showdown with Nigeria. If Cameroon loses, he’ll head back to club football just in time for Brighton’s FA Cup clash at Old Trafford.
Brighton, though, keeps saying the same thing they’ve said since last summer—they’re not selling. The Argus has repeated it for months: Baleba stays with the Seagulls at least until season’s end.
Fabian Hurzeler is banking on Baleba’s AFCON momentum, plus having Pascal Gross back in the fold, to really get his club season going.
Even so, Sky’s Mark McAdam thinks United are ready to move. He told viewers United have already looked into a possible deal for Baleba this window. They like him. They’ve checked in before, and they’re doing it again. Brighton’s response? Same as always: “Baleba is not for sale; we rate him too highly, and we’re not interested in selling him—especially not in January.”
United do have other midfield names on their radar—Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, and Joao Gomes—but Baleba’s a big one. He’s committed to Brighton until June 2029, so the club holds all the cards.
Right now, United sits sixth in the Premier League. Just three points off Liverpool in the last Champions League spot, but honestly, people feel they could be punching higher.
Manager Amorim isn’t promising much action this month. Just two weeks ago, he said, “We’ll see” about any moves. Now? He’s shutting that talk down. “The transfer window isn’t going to change. We’re not having conversations about changing the squad. We have a process and an idea, and we’re sticking to it. We’re close to the Champions League places, but there are eight teams right behind us, so let’s just focus on the next game. That’s it. Win the next one.”
United have looked at Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, though it seems City might get him. Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo have also been linked with possible January exits.
And when someone asked Amorim if any players have come knocking on his door to leave, he said, “No, none. I don’t expect them to ask.”
CAMAVINGA TO UNITED: SPANISH REPORTS CLAIM FLORENTINO PEREZ IS "WILLING" TO SELL FOR €75M
Manchester United target Eduardo Camavinga! Discover Real Madrid’s €75m stance and why he’s the top pick to replace Casemiro.
Manchester United are eyeing Eduardo Camavinga as Casemiro’s replacement, at least if you believe a fresh rumour out of Spain. That report also dives into Real Madrid’s stance about letting the French midfielder head to Old Trafford and what Camavinga himself thinks about the whole idea.
Casemiro has already made it clear: he’s leaving United at the end of the season. The club’s new co-owners, INEOS, are hunting for someone to fill the hole he’ll leave behind in midfield.
TEAMtalk’s Fraser Fletcher has been flagging United’s interest in Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and Adam Wharton for a while, actually, even before Casemiro publicly announced his exit in January 2026.
Felix Nmecha, who used to be on City’s books, is another name floating around. But United seem especially interested in Camavinga, who’s currently at Real Madrid.
The Spanish report claims United have put Camavinga right at the top of their wish list. Apparently, Madrid would consider selling, but only if they get at least €75 million (that’s about £65.5m or $88.4m).
United scouted Camavinga back in his Rennes days, but Madrid swooped first, signing him in 2021. He’s still only 23, yet he’s already won LaLiga and the Champions League twice. Lately, though, injuries have really held him back.
Madrid, according to the same report, is open to negotiating his sale because he hasn’t quite become the star they hoped for, especially now that Casemiro, Kroos, and Modric aren’t blocking his path. That said, Madrid knows Camavinga is valuable and expects plenty of clubs to come knocking this summer.
Now, here’s the thing: Camavinga loves Madrid. When he’s fit, he’s a key part of the squad, and his ability to fill in at left-back doesn’t hurt either. New boss Alvaro Arbeloa has started using him on the left of a four-man midfield, and he’s become pretty important in that system.
Madrid is looking to bring in another midfielder in the summer of 2026, which naturally raises questions about Camavinga’s future. With his recent injury track record, you’d think the club has at least considered letting him go. But honestly, it’s tough to imagine Madrid giving up on a 23-year-old they’re still excited about.
If Camavinga gets fit and finds his best form under Arbeloa, Madrid won’t even think about selling. Sources say Camavinga’s happy at Madrid and isn’t looking to leave the Bernabeu anytime soon.
Back last year, Liverpool were interested in Camavinga. Liverpool has admired him for ages and would jump at the chance to sign him. But at that time, a source said Camavinga saw his future with Madrid. “Eduardo loves Real; he knows there are options away from the club, and one day he may look at those, but right now he’s focused on getting fit and playing a major role in the second half of the season.”
Since then, Camavinga has become even more important to Madrid, especially under Arbeloa.
RASHFORD DEAL REGRET: MAN UTD "FUMING" AS BARCELONA PREPARED TO SNAG STAR FOR £26M
Manchester United regret the £26M Rashford deal: Discover why his Barcelona form and England recall have sparked a major row.
Manchester United’s top brass are kicking themselves over the Marcus Rashford deal. Letting him go to Barcelona for just £26 million? That’s starting to look like a huge mistake.
Since landing in Spain last summer, Rashford has turned things around. He’s bagged 10 goals in 35 games, clawed his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, and now United figure he’s worth closer to £50 million. On top of that, other clubs are circling, hoping to snag him in the summer.
Back when they loaned him out, United gave Barcelona first dibs, capped at £26 million. Now, some folks at United are fuming about how they structured the deal. They’d rather see Rashford go anywhere else.
The thing is, Rashford loves life at Camp Nou and wants to stay. Barcelona see that, and they might even try to negotiate the price down further.
There’s talk that Michael Carrick, United’s interim boss, would welcome Rashford back in a heartbeat. Too bad there’s no recall clause. Even if everyone wanted a reunion, the contract blocks it.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United’s co-owner, still wants Rashford’s wages off the books. But the thought of Barcelona grabbing their 28-year-old star on the cheap doesn’t sit well with him.
Funny enough, Rashford’s one of United’s best-paid players, but over at Barcelona, he only comes in sixth on their pay scale. Manager Hansi Flick is pretty keen to keep him around, too.
Off the pitch, Rashford’s settling in. He bought a swanky flat in Esplugues with killer views of the Collserola mountains and is soaking up the Catalan lifestyle.
His £15 million-a-year United contract runs until 2028, but he’s told friends he’s not looking back. Leaving his boyhood club wasn’t easy, but he’s made his call.
He’s set to be picked for Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup in North America this summer.