The interest of Manchester United in Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba has left former teammates Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane at odds whether they should pursue a transfer
At Manchester United fans, Rio Ferdinand urged to keep their expectations under control when it comes to Carlos Baleba. The Brighton Enforcer, 21, is top of the wish list of United's midfield, but the sum of nine digits needed to take him to Manchester probably means a year before a transfer occurs.
Ferdinand admits that he would like to see Baleba in a united shirt this season, but whether it is happening or not, he warned that the Cameroon International could not solve all the problems of the Rubem Amorim manager. Instead, the former United Defender believes that Baleba needs time to adapt and develop before he can have a lasting impact.
“Baleba, he is a young child, he is a great talent, high ceiling. [But] What I would say is, it is about managing expectations when someone comes in, “said Ferdinand on his Rio Ferdinand presents YouTube show.
“I do not say that you are buying it and he is the absolute answer and he is the key to everything that is unlocked. He is a young child who has to develop. He must be integrated into the system in the system.
“He will have to learn and understand the responsibilities to be at Manchester United. Various requirements. Various pressure. All these things come in when you sign for Manchester United. He will make mistakes, but that is part of it.”
Although he calls patience, Ferdinand insists that Baleba has the potential to be a transforming signing and he has incited United to close a deal this month, regardless of the price tag to prevent severe competition for his signature next year.
'He is different from everything we have there [in midfield]. And that difference is something that this team can really push. Not immediately, but it can happen. He will learn: “The 46-year-old said.
“My biggest fear is that if we don't get this window, everyone will be awake now. Other teams will be at the desk next time with their checkbooks and the asking price of Brighton will be higher.”
It is understood that the seagulls do not intend to separate with Baleba this summer and have made an asking price of £ 104 million to him to scare United and other potential lovers – a figure influenced by Moises Caicedo's £ 115 million move to Chelsea just two years ago.
Ferdinand believes that the compensation would be worth paying, but his former United teammate Roy Keane is not that certain. “It would surprise me if it happened. Because I still think that child, he has to do a little more,” Keane said on the stick to football podcast.
“You are talking about £ 100 million, but I still think it is potential with many of these players. You can't pay £ 100 million for a player you don't know which way he is going.”
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille for £ 26 million in 2023 and stepped in to fill the void left by Caicedo after his mega-money movement to Stamford Bridge. Since then he has gone into force to strength and has settled as one of the most dynamic ball -winning midfielders of the Premier League, with calm in possession to match.
He is supposed to be open to a switch to Old Trafford and is willing to keep pushing, despite the conditions between the clubs that are the striking issue with regard to a movement that will flower this summer. His United is reportedly reluctant to meet the valuation of Brighton.
According to athletics, they are not expected to submit a formal bid, aware that Baleba has only two Premier League seasons behind him and is still developing. They are also wary of Brighton's reputation as tough negotiators, where the South Coast Club recommends great costs for not only Caicedo, but also in recent years, among others, Marc Cucurella, Joao Pedro and Ben White.
The financial context is also important. After having spent more than £ 200 million this summer on Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, United would see a movement for Baleba to take their edition more than £ 300 million – and their transfer record Eclipsen, set when Paul Pogba returned for £ 89 million in 2016.