According to reports, Lille will get 15% of any sale of Carlos Baleba, a midfielder for Brighton & Hove Albion. This could make it more difficult for Manchester United to get the Cameroon international.
The Red Devils recently reached out to Brighton to discuss the potential of signing the 21-year-old before the transfer window closed, indicating that Man United had been considering a late move for him.
The 20-time English champions, however, have decided to halt their pursuit of the midfield player because they acknowledge that it would be extremely challenging to negotiate a deal for the Cameroonian at this point in the market.
Although Ruben Amorim’s team is anticipated to make a comeback during the transfer window next summer, Baleba is still seen as a top target for Man United.
However, Man United may find it challenging to recruit Baleba due to the purported existence of a sell-on option in his Brighton contract; the Seagulls are expected to demand more than £100 million for his services in 2026.
Lille is ready to get 15% of every sale made at Baleba.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano claims that Lille will get 15% of any future sales, meaning the French team will likely receive a large cash infusion.
The deal is believed to be over £100 million because of the cash the Seagulls will have to transfer to Lille, but without the clause, Brighton may have been looking at £85 million for Baleba this summer, which Man United was reportedly willing to spend.
Before moving to Brighton in August 2023 for a reported £26 million, Baleba joined Lille in January 2022 and played for the team 23 times across all competitions.
Numerous elite teams in the world of football are reportedly keeping an eye on the Cameroonian, who has made 78 appearances for the Seagulls, tallying four goals and dishing out two assists.
Will Manchester United sign a midfielder prior to the transfer deadline?
The most recent well-known midfield player to be linked to a move to Manchester United is Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid, as the team seeks to bolster that position before the summer transfer window closes.
Although Ederson of Atalanta BC and Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace are also on their wishlist, it is unclear if a midfield agreement can be reached at this point in the market.
Additionally, Man United is still thinking about adding a new custodian, and Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain is rumoured to be moving to Old Trafford.
