Bryan Mbeumo has reportedly been making efforts to persuade Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba to consider a move to Manchester United. The Red Devils had shown interest in signing Baleba during the summer transfer window, but Brighton reportedly made it clear that the 21-year-old was not available for sale at that time.
“I don’t think Baleba was a saga,” said Brighton chairman Tony Bloom in an interview with The Argus this week. “There was interest from Manchester United, and we said that he wasn’t available this summer and they went away. So we’ve had many bigger sagas in the past. But Carlos Baleba, his improvement has been immense.”
Baleba has been valued at over £100 million, and Manchester United were unable to make another major signing in the summer due to their substantial spending on players such as Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, Diego Leon, and Senne Lammens.
According to The Sun, Mbeumo has not given up on the possibility of United signing Baleba. The 26-year-old forward has been sharing the experience of his own move to Old Trafford with the Brighton midfielder. Mbeumo and Baleba both represent Cameroon’s national team, and the United forward is seen as a mentor figure to his younger teammate.
Speaking last month, former Chelsea, Newcastle United, Real Madrid, and Cameroon midfielder Geremi expressed his belief that Baleba could become one of the world’s top midfielders.
“I think it’s a pity that Manchester United didn’t manage to sign him, because this guy is the future,” Geremi told BestBettingSites.co.uk. “When you look at him, he’s definitely got the ability. I can’t call him the best midfielder just yet, but he’s ready to prove it on a bigger stage.”
“However, when you take a good player and improve the quality of those around him, then they improve even more quickly. For all the problems at United right now, I think Baleba would have benefited from that step up. He really is going to be the next top player. I’ve watched him a few times, and I hope he has good people around to advise him.”
“He can play with both feet, and at his young age, what he needs to focus on is his decision-making. What we need to see is that he has the awareness and maturity to make the right decisions consistently. If he keeps up with that, he’ll be a very good player.”
“Perhaps United will come back in for him. But even if it’s another club, the important thing is that he doesn’t let his performances drop down. If he keeps playing like this, he’ll get his big move.”
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