So, what number should we be giving to Baleba? 21? 17 ain't really one suited to a midfielder but I suppose we can do something. He currently wears the number 20 at Brighton and that should be okay.
I might be getting ahead of myself but you can't tell me that you don't feel it too.
Great news to wake up on a Sunday morning or afternoon too. Hey, it's a Sunday, it's a Sunday. You can forgive a guy for sleeping in a little 😐.
But I tell you who ain't sleeping and that is Man Utd, for once.
Usually we are quite pedestrian in the transfer market and that proved to be the case when it came to the Mbeumo signing making us all feel like maybe things haven't actually changed under INEOS.
And then
SESKO!
And then,
BALEBA CONTACT!
And now
BALEBA AGREES PERSONAL TERMS!!!!! ⚠💣☠
Don't even know what those emojis mean but they're in there.
How quickly we've been moving with these two deals has given us all a belief that maybe INEOS aren't as bad as we thought. Maybe INEOS are cooking 🔥.
This report is coming in from indykaila News and they've said that "Baleba wants out/Personal terms agreed ⬇️
Carlos Baleba has made his intentions clear, he's verbally 🗣️ asked Brighton to let him move to @ManUtd."
They've added that the player's agent has also given the green light on those personal terms. However, Brighton are standing strong on their £100m valuation of the player which could be a bit of a challenge in trying to get this deal done.
Although, we do have the mighty INEOS on the go so with how fast things are moving, I would imagine we should be having a 'Here we go' tonight, an official unveiling with the new third kit on Tuesday and for him to boss the midfield against Arsenal on Sunday.
I think that that is realistic.
Okay, getting ahead of myself again. Need to calm down ✋.
The fact that we got the 'Here we go' for Sesko and not long after the Ornstein bomb for the contact with Baleba has given us all hard-ons and believing that maybe we get this deal done sooner than expected.
With him agreeing personal terms just a matter of days after that original bomb indicates just how quickly this deal is developing. I don't think that Baleba wanted to move to United at all until we made those contacts. I think he's seen that and thought 'yes, I'd love to go there.' And can you blame him? We are the greatest club in the world after all so 🤷♂️.
It's just that £100m fee that could be the problem. I do feel that we need to start seeing some sales in order to bring in some money towards that fee. There's news that United are pushing Rasmus Hojlund to AC Milan although the player doesn't want to go.
Ben Jacobs is saying that "Rasmus Hojlund has now been directly told he'll need to leave to gain minutes this season and is considering his options.
Manchester United prefer to sell, but have not ruled out a loan.
Milan prepared to meet #MUFC's £40m valuation via a loan fee and buy option. Further talks took place yesterday."
While an initial loan deal, moving him on is the most important thing. If we do manage to get £40m I think that that would be a good deal.
There's still Garnacho, Antony, Sancho and Malacia and if we can manage to get rid of them, then we should have that money for Baleba. Whether all of that can be done by the 1st of September is another matter. United will have to move fast.
On Baleba, we need a midfielder and someone like him. I've given my reservations about him joining Bruno who will undoubtedly play as the no 8 as both players aren't the most defensive-minded nor disciplined positionally. That could be a problem.
However, I would still sign him because he is one hell of a talent.
As he is top quality though, without there being too many other clubs in for him, we may have to get it done asap before the likes of City or someone else join the race. Rodri being out until mid-September may cause them to look at Baleba which could be an issue for United.
Before pre-season, I don't think many of us would've said that midfield was a top priority but after pre-season, we can see just how important it is to sign someone like Baleba. That midfield is crying out for it.
Amorim seems to be a big admirer of his as well so for the club to be getting in the players the manager wants is also a step up from years gone by.
I do believe we get this deal done. The confidence INEOS have given me in recent weeks is the reason for this and also the fact that United won't let journalists such as David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano put it out there that we're in for a player if we're not actually in for them.
We tend to do this when we feel confident of getting the player over the line.
But how do you feel about the Baleba news? You reckon we get it done? Or is it too good to be true?
Carlos Baleba Agrees Personal Terms with Man Utd | Creator: Mike Hewitt | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2025 Getty Images via Man Utd News