Manchester United has reached an agreement on personal terms with midfielder Carlos Baleba, who is considered 'better than Caicedo' and wants to join the club.
Key points
Manchester United has an agreement on personal terms with Carlos Baleba
Baleba is considered 'better than Caicedo'
Brighton blocked Baleba's move last summer
Discussions on the deal occurred last summer
Mentioned in this story
Carlos BalebaMoisés CaicedoManchester UnitedBrighton and Hove Albion
Romano: Full agreement on personal terms in place – Midfielder who’s ‘better than Caicedo’ wants to join Man Utd
Romano: Full agreement on personal terms in place – Midfielder who’s ‘better than Caicedo’ wants to join Man Utd
Manchester United already have an agreement on personal terms in place with Carlos Baleba.
Both parties discussed how a deal could look last summer, before Brighton and Hove Albion blocked any potential move for the player.
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United retain long-standing interest in Carlos Baleba
Yet, Baleba was keen on making the switch to Old Trafford, and would presumably retain such desire this time around – especially given United will likely have Champions League football to offer.
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Although Elliot Anderson has leapfrogged the Cameroonian to become INEOS’ first-choice target, Fabrizio Romano has assured supporters that at least two midfielders will be signed.
Q&A
What are the personal terms agreed upon for Carlos Baleba?
The specific details of the personal terms for Carlos Baleba have not been disclosed, but an agreement is in place.
Why was Carlos Baleba's move to Manchester United blocked last summer?
Brighton and Hove Albion blocked any potential move for Carlos Baleba last summer, preventing the transfer.
Who is Carlos Baleba and why is he considered better than Caicedo?
Carlos Baleba is a midfielder who has gained attention for his skills and performance, leading some to believe he surpasses Moisés Caicedo.
What is the current status of Carlos Baleba's transfer to Manchester United?
Currently, Manchester United has an agreement on personal terms with Carlos Baleba, but the transfer details are still being discussed.
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Baleba also poses as a considerably cheaper option, with The Athletic claiming that Nottingham Forest could demand as much as £125 million to sanction Anderson’s exit.
How Baleba has fared this season
Brighton will have to factor in the fact that the 23-year-old’s form has faltered this season when setting their price tag.
Since returning from the African Cup of Nations in mid-January, Baleba – who former Brighton striker Glenn Murray hailed as ‘better than Moises Caicedo’ – has made 11 Premier League appearances; six as a starter and five as a substitute.
He was left on the bench for the entirety of the Seagulls’ draw with Tottenham Hotspur and, back in February, was hooked after just 22 minutes against Aston Villa, having been shown a yellow card in the second minute.
Last time out, however, he put in a stellar shift in the middle of the park, playing the full 90 minutes as his side thumped Chelsea 3-0 at the Amex, in the match that ultimately spelt the end of Liam Rosenior’s tenure.
What Romano had to say about Baleba
Weighing in on the former Lille starlet’s links with United, Romano said on YouTube on Friday: “In August 2025, Manchester United had an agreement in principle with Baleba on personal terms. The player was keen on the move, but Brighton refused to sell.
“The same situation occurred again in January. At that time, Manchester United indicated that they could revisit the deal in the summer of 2026.
“Now, Baleba remains a target for both the scouting department and figures within the club. There are still several factors to consider, including the appointment of a permanent manager, budget decisions, and Brighton’s stance.”
He continued: “However, what I can confirm is that the verbal agreement between Baleba and Manchester United from 2025 remains valid for 2026.
“The player is still very keen on a move to Manchester United.”
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Romano: Full agreement on personal terms in place – Midfielder who’s ‘better than Caicedo’ wants to join Man Utd
