Man United confident on Carlos Baleba as Bayern shortlist Brighton midfielder amid Goretzka doubt

Manchester United are accelerating plans for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba after Bayern Munich placed the 20-year-old on a midfield shortlist while Leon Goretzka’s future remains unclear. Brighton are expected to demand a premium and are said to be open to offers rising toward £74m in 2026, a stance consistent with their long-game sales model. United view Baleba as a perfect high-energy pivot partner for their young core and believe personal terms would be straightforward if a fee is agreed. Bayern are monitoring in case they reshape midfield. Momentum is building, and United sense this is a window to move first.

The development comes from aligned reporting in England and Germany that Bayern have discussed Baleba internally while assessing scenarios around Leon Goretzka’s role beyond this season. Manchester-based contacts indicate United have tracked Baleba since his Ligue 1 breakout and have refreshed scouting reports this month. Brighton’s valuation strategy mirrors previous high-profile exits, with a price curve that can climb across multi-year horizons. Supporter chatter also reflects rising confidence on the United side, with some pointing to a strong stylistic fit and prior groundwork. Timing will hinge on Brighton’s appetite to sell and how Bayern resolve their midfield picture.

🚨 NEW: Bayern Munich have Manchester United transfer target Carlos Baleba on their shortlist as Leon Goretzka's future beyond this season remains uncertain. Brighton could be open to offers of around £74M in 2026. [@kessler_philipp, @iMiaSanMia]

@UtdXclusive

Impact Analysis

For United, Baleba answers two pressing needs in one signing: ball-winning in the first phase and secure progression through pressure. His profile sits between a destroyer and a carrier. He relishes contact, can turn out of tight lanes, and plays forward quickly after regains. That blend is exactly what unlocks quicker transitions for a front line that often waits too long for clean service. Slot him next to a technician and you stabilize the pivot while raising the pressing line by five to ten meters. It changes the whole rhythm at Old Trafford.

Brighton’s stance is predictable and smart. They buy young, expose players to high-possession, high-intensity football, then sell at the top of an age and performance curve. A 2026 reference price near £74m is not a demand for today, it is a signal: come early and negotiate, or pay the premium later. United know this dance after recent windows and will try to land value before the price matures.

Bayern’s involvement is the wildcard. If Goretzka’s role diminishes or a major offer arrives for one of their midfielders, they will not hesitate to flip to a younger, more vertical profile. Baleba’s intensity and range fit a Bundesliga tempo where transitions bite. That said, Bayern typically move decisively only once an internal domino falls. United can exploit that lag by moving now.

Reaction

Fans split into familiar camps. Optimists are loud. One United voice insists, “Baleba wants us and we want him,” echoing a growing belief that personal terms would be simple if a fee is set. Another says the talent is undeniable and urges the club to push hard before Bayern act. A clip shared of his display vs Aston Villa gets praise as the sign he’s finding rhythm again.

Realists and skeptics push back. A few argue there is no real market for him yet, or that the quoted figures feel heavy for current output. A Brighton-leaning view pops up too: this is precisely the kind of situation Brighton exploit, so expect a tough stance and add-ons that bite later. One fan argues the number should be closer to £60m, which tells you where rival clubs want the negotiation to land.

Overall sentiment among United supporters leans confident, bordering on assured, helped by chatter that groundwork has been ongoing. Bayern’s interest adds urgency rather than fear. The shared vibe: United must lead, not react.

Social reactions

Brighton trying to generate interest… We’re paying 60 mil

Smoke Tactics 🔱 (@UTD_Smoke)

He is not even worth 50M tbh

EAZY 🏀⚽ (@Eazy2077)

So many good midfielders atm, not concerned

𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩. (@UnitedProp_)

Prediction

Short term, United test the waters with Brighton to establish structure: fee floor, add-ons linked to appearances and Champions League, and a sell-on. If the Seagulls open the door, United move quickly to lock in player-side details, aiming to pre-empt Bayern. Expect soft signals that personal terms would be aligned with United’s medium band for young starters.

Medium term, Bayern’s posture hinges on Goretzka. If clarity comes and they pivot to a younger eight-six hybrid, they will escalate fast. That could trigger a mini bidding race, pushing the guaranteed fee into the mid-60s with achievable bonuses. Brighton will welcome that dynamic.

Two scenarios stand out: 1) United advance early and close before Bayern reshuffle, leveraging timing and the player’s enthusiasm for the Premier League stage at Old Trafford. 2) Talks stretch, Bayern settle their dominoes and enter with a clean proposal that appeals to Brighton’s structure-first approach. My read, based on how both clubs operate, is scenario one has the edge if United act before preseason plans crystalize elsewhere.

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Conclusion

This fits the pattern we’ve seen for years. Brighton identify, develop and sell at the top of the curve. United need a dynamic midfield stabilizer who can win the ball and get it forward without drama. Bayern admire the same qualities and will not overpay without a clear internal trigger. Right now, United have the runway and the need.

When I checked in with people who have tracked Baleba since Lille, the message was consistent: he is built for a bigger stage, and he learns fast. Put him with a young core and he will grow into responsibility, not shrink from it. That is why the fit at Old Trafford makes so much sense.

Nothing is done until clubs agree a fee, but the momentum is real. If United act with conviction, this is the kind of signing that changes the temperature of their midfield for the next five years. The timing says go. The profile says perfect fit. The market says move before the price hardens.