This summer, Manchester United spent £230 million to bolster their attack and brought in a new goalkeeper, but the midfield still appeared insufficient. Ruben Amorin aimed to sign Brighton’s 21-year-old Cameroonian holding midfielder Carlos Baleba, who fits his requirements for a physically capable midfielder.

However, Brighton’s asking price ended negotiations abruptly. Manchester United tried to bring in another midfielder before the deadline but failed. They approached players such as Sporting CP’s Morten Yurmand, Atlético Madrid’s Gallagher, and Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller. Yurmand and Stiller chose to stay with their clubs, and Atlético refused to loan out Gallagher.

Ultimately, the Red Devils decided not to sign anyone. Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that club owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe chose to save funds to have a chance to sign Baleba from Brighton next year. “Manchester United decided not to sign any more midfielders, which doesn’t surprise me,” Romano said. “I’m not shocked because I believe United will still be interested in Baleba in 2026.”

The likelihood of Manchester United signing Baleba in the January transfer window is low; the move might happen next summer. According to Spain’s Fichajes website, Sir Jim plans to break the British transfer fee record to acquire Baleba then. The report states that their failed attempt in August did not deter them; they are determined to try again in a year and are preparing €150 million (£130 million) for the bid.

“This figure reflects Manchester United’s high regard for the Cameroonian player, believing he could become one of the Premier League’s best midfielders in the coming years,” the report stated. “This €150 million investment aims not only to secure a player who meets both current and future team needs but also to send a clear message to other league clubs: Manchester United is willing to invest huge sums to return to the top.”

Liverpool recently broke the transfer fee record by signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for £125 million (€144 million). Brighton has always been open to record-breaking sales, and Baleba would be the latest in a series of such approved deals. Before Isak, the British record was Brighton selling midfielder Moisés Caicedo to Chelsea for £115 million.

Manchester United has never spent over £100 million on a single player in its history; the highest fees paid for Antony and Pogba were around €100 million. However, if Sir Jim wants to raise funds, selling two existing midfielders could generate nearly enough cash to cover Baleba’s transfer fee.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes rejected offers from several Saudi Pro League clubs this year, but if the club clearly decides to sell him, the 30-year-old Portuguese stalwart would leave. Doing so next year could bring the club a transfer fee of around £60-70 million.

Meanwhile, Sir Jim refused to sell 20-year-old academy starlet Cody Menyo this summer, but if the English midfielder doesn’t renew his contract, the club will have to sell him next year, potentially for £50-60 million. Selling both Fernandes and Menyo would make Baleba’s transfer fee manageable for Manchester United.

Moreover, veteran Casemiro, aged 33, will leave when his contract expires, freeing up £350,000 per week in wages. Combined with Fernandes’s £300,000 weekly salary, Manchester United could save over £32.5 million annually in wages. It is predicted that next summer, United might sign not just one but two or more midfielders, such as the fan-favored Baleba and Crystal Palace’s Adam Walton, similar to how they acquired a new attacking trident this summer.