19 Aug 2026 09:57:49
Baleba deal close according to Ornstein.
19 Aug 2026 10:21:34
It can't be, the owners don't have a clue and we are skint with no money to spend!
19 Aug 2026 10:36:05
If we can get him for around the 60-70m mark, then I think in time that will look like a good deal.
He's a great young player, with a massive ceiling on his talent. He had a phenomenal year the season before last, but struggled a little last season due to missing pre-season with an injury and the disruption around a failed move to us, along with the AFCON halfway through the season. He struggled to get any momentum and consistency.
I know some people will be down about this potential deal, due to his less than stellar season last time out. But, young players have ups and downs as they develop, and it makes a lot more sense to buy after a dip than after a purple patch.
He's the profile we need, strong, physically dominant, quick across the ground, great in the air, press resistant, hard working, mobile, can carry well through the lines, and is an underrated passer of the ball.
He's also EPL proven, and is left-footed (which opens up different passing lanes through midfield).
A few fans have been complaining about the lack of movement in recent weeks, but maybe the club were just waiting Brighton out. Maybe they were waiting for potential challengers for his signature to move on to other targets to ensure we can't be dragged into a bidding war (which Brighton tried to do last summer and we walked away).
If we do get this deal across the line, then I think we can probably rule out big money moves for players like Lewis Hall and Myles Lewis-Skelly as I doubt we'll spend 60m+ on another two signings before the window closes. Interestingly, Baleba himself has covered lb on occasion.
However, I suspect that means that we will move for a cheaper lb such as David Raum, Jorge Salinas or Joaquin Seys.
19 Aug 2026 10:48:16
We absolutely needed a Baleba-type. A real ground-eater.
I maintain my stance that Tielemans and Mainoo absolutely cannot play together. So it's:
Santos/Baleba
Tielemans/Mainoo
The big question is, is anyone ready for Mainoo to be our fourth best central midfielder and have fairly limited game time? Because no matter how many won't like that, it's going to happen...
19 Aug 2026 10:53:17
If we do sign him and sign a very good left back (I would pay for Hall), then it's another decent window. Like it or not, Rashford looks to be staying, so can cover at CF.
19 Aug 2026 10:53:42
Interesting signing. Looked amazing a few years ago, then last season was a bit rubbish.
Which Baleba are we signing?
19 Aug 2026 10:54:40
If we get Seys or Salinas along with Baleba, then we've had a pretty decent window.
Another striker would've been good, but not essential.
19 Aug 2026 11:04:20
Confirmed on Sky.
19 Aug 2026 11:16:06
Great signing. Think he was injured most of last season.
19 Aug 2026 11:18:04
Over the moon if this goes through. Excellent signing, good age, profile, and decent fee.
19 Aug 2026 12:40:46
I like this deal if our recruitment team told him to be rubbish last season to get the price down. If he was just rubbish last season, it's pretty high risk.
It would be nice to have a left footer in Midfield. 24/25 Baleba and Santol in Midfield are very robust, and they complement each other.
Baleba likes driving forward with the ball, Santos passes forward, they are both monsters at getting the ball back and covering ground.
As long as we get the 24/25 version, good signing.