Man Utd target Carlos Baleba after Cameroon's elimination

Cameroon missed out on the 2026 World Cup after defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo – a detail that could swing the transfer race in Manchester United’s favour. Carlos Baleba is a priority in Ruben Amorim’s midfield and is likely to become Man Utd’s first big signing of the summer of 2026, according to reports.

The key point of the deal

Last summer, Man Utd probed Brighton but the £100 million price tag prevented the deal from exploding. The Red Devils' interest has not cooled, while Baleba is said to want to move to Old Trafford. On the other hand, Brighton do not want to sell but face real pressure if the player is heading to a new destination.

Cameroon misses 2026 World Cup and the negotiation chessboard

Cameroon’s absence from the 2026 World Cup significantly weakens Brighton’s negotiating position. The World Cup is typically a catalyst for a player’s value to skyrocket; Baleba’s absence from the tournament would avoid the price-inflating wave and reduce the risk of fierce competition immediately after a World Cup.

While attention may be focused on other midfielders such as Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton, Man Utd have the opportunity to move quietly, focusing on their main target at a more reasonable cost than the £100m mark once mentioned.

Market operating advantages

• Fair value: Without the 2026 World Cup, the immediate pressure to increase the price has been reduced, giving Man Utd the chance to reach a deal at a lower fee than the £100m they were facing.
• Fast progress: With no international fixtures to contend with, the formalities can be completed early in the summer, allowing Baleba to fully participate in pre-season preparations.
• Competition cools down: Market attention shifts to World Cup stars, helping Man Utd reduce noise in negotiations.

Suitable for midfield upgrade roadmap

After a summer of attacking revolution in 2025, Man Utd shifted their focus to midfield in the next transfer window. Baleba emerged as the "perfect" option on the target list thanks to the combination of the club's needs and the player's desire for the project at Old Trafford under coach Ruben Amorim.

The continuity of the plan is the highlight: Man Utd maintain their target, while Baleba is said to be leaning towards his desired destination. In that context, the objective factor from the international arena accidentally became a catalyst to help the two sides shorten the gap.

The big picture

From many angles, the current variables all support the scenario of Man Utd and Baleba coming together in the summer of 2026: the need to upgrade the midfield, the level of player readiness, Brighton’s pressure to keep the player and Cameroon missing the 2026 World Cup. Last summer showed that the £100 million barrier was real, but the new context opens up the opportunity for the deal to follow a less turbulent trajectory.

With a clear plan and favorable market timing, Man Utd have the basis to approach the deal with a more proactive stance than a year ago. If all the links are in place, Baleba will not only be the first major contract of the summer of 2026, but also a key piece for the next phase of the project at Old Trafford.