21 Aug 2026 21:07:14
We've had a 'here we go' from you know who, for Baleba.
Delighted if true. No detail as to terms yet, but expected to be a total package of approx £70m. If we can get the player of 2 seasons ago it should prove to be a bargain.
21 Aug 2026 21:34:20
65+5 and a sell-on clause, I read.
21 Aug 2026 21:39:52
I do feel that he had his head turned last season. I agree with you that he will return to the player he was 2 years ago.
Next summer, the focus will be on sorting the defence out. Utd may sign another defender before the transfer window closes, with the lb position the likely area that the club will strengthen.
Ultimately, had Utd sold Rashford, Onana and Ugarte, then I would have expected a further 3 signings on top of the current and provisional Baleba signing.
Perhaps we could see a loan with an obligation to buy for Mount go through. Even if he was fit, he would be well down the pecking order.
22 Aug 2026 08:25:46
He's been a highly rated player for several years, even before his move to Brighton. Last season is the odd one out in his career, and, to be fair, there were a lot of mitigating circumstances. Firstly, he was under more scrutiny than previously after a breakout year, which also means teams are better prepared for him. He also picked up an injury that kept him out for the whole pre-season, and he was rushed back.
The failed move probably affected him, and it may have affected his teammates. You then have the AFCON halfway through the season. All of those things make it very hard for a young player to get any sort of consistency across the season.
Baleba actually played well at the AFCON, and started to get back into form during the run in at the end of the season.
22 Aug 2026 11:28:03
Agree with the general consensus - he was incredible a few seasons back, possibly one of the best in the league. Extremely average last season bar a few games (co-incidentally, one might assume...) towards the end of the season. Seems overpriced based on the current player, but potentially a great deal if he can recover his best form.
Strange, it had to wait until a few days before the season started, considering we appear to be the only club with any interest. This club does things in such a cack-handed manner.
22 Aug 2026 16:10:30
After that performance, he may be having 2nd thoughts.