Manchester United are considering terms to sign Brighton’s Carlos Baleva in January, Sky Sports News has revealed.
However, the deal is not expected to progress any further this month, with Brighton hoping to keep him until at least the summer, when there is likely to be a market for central midfielders.
Manchester United’s priority for 2026 is understood to be signing at least one, and possibly two, top central midfielders.
While the focus remains on signing in the summer, Sky Sports News has already reported that United could make a move to sign the player this month if their own market opportunities arise.
Valeva is on a list of top targets that also includes Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Wolves’ Joao Gomez.
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In an interview with Sky Sports, Paul Scholes chooses the best Premier League midfielder for Manchester United
Sky Sports News could also reveal that United are eyeing young prospects such as Lille’s Ayyoub Bouadi and Olympiakos’ Christos Mousakitis.
Sky Sports News reported this week that they are continuing to evaluate their forward options, with Antoine Semenyo potentially heading to Manchester City, and that they are monitoring the status of Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and RB Leipzig winger Yann Diomande.
Sky Sports News also exclusively revealed on Thursday that they are scouting potential centre-backs ahead of the summer, including Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet.
Amorim: There are no ongoing transfer conversations at Manchester United
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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has indicated that no transfer talks are progressing despite the January transfer window being open.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has suggested there are no ongoing discussions about a move at Old Trafford, despite the January transfer window remaining open.
United travel to Leeds on Sunday with a lackluster side, with up to eight players expected to miss the game.
Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire and Koby Mainu are not expected to return from injury, while Brian Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Nsair Mazrouai are absent on African Cup of Nations (AFCON) duties.
When asked if the club is working to strengthen its squad during this period in order to move up the table, Amorim said: “The transfer window remains unchanged. There are no conversations about changing the squad at this point.”
“There is a process, there is an idea to continue. We are close to qualifying for the Champions League, eight teams behind, so let’s focus on the next game.”
United forward Joshua Zirkzee has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford. Amorim further pressed on whether players came to him during this period to ask them to leave the club, adding: “No, no one. I don’t expect them to come to me asking for anything.”
Baleva: “I want to be the best midfielder in the world”
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Speaking to Sky Sports’ William Vitibili, Brighton midfielder Valeva said he wants to give everything for himself, his people and his country, and spoke of his ambition to be the best midfielder in the AFCON.
Before heading to AFCON, Baleva spoke to Sky Sports’ Will Vitibili about Brighton and Cameroon’s profile in the upcoming tournament.
“It’s (my) ambition to be the best midfielder in the world. I just want to work hard, listen to advice and take things from midfielders. It’s not just the Premier League. I learned a lot from here,” he said.
“Rodri and other players, but I try to (take lessons from) outside the Premier League, like Ligue 1 and Vicinha and Joao Neves.
“In La Liga, Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta, (Sergio) Busquets. I try to learn every day. I watch them on YouTube.”
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In November, Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler said the club was supporting Baleva to regain his form from last season.
Baleva beckoned Lille and took his love of the game from Douala, Cameroon to France. After rising through the ranks in France, a move to Brighton and the Premier League soon followed. He moved to the Amex in August 2023, but all eyes were on his performance in the 2024/25 season.
Under the guidance of Fabian Hürzeler, Valeva emerged as one of the league’s best midfield prospects. But after a whirlwind summer, the campaign got off to a slow start. The spotlight has always been an ambition for Bareva, but she never expected her reputation to rise so quickly.
“It makes me so happy to see my name everywhere,” he says. “When I was a kid, that was my mom and dad’s wish, and it’s my wish too.
“I’m happy with everything. But I was overwhelmed because I did everything so quickly. I did things that some players my age don’t do like me. But I’m really happy.”
