Manchester Rivals Gear Up for £120M Battle Over Midfield Star

As of August 8th, 2025, the two Manchester clubs are gearing up for a fierce transfer battle over one of the Premier League's standout midfielders, Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba.

Manchester City's recruitment department has been active this summer, with Pep Guardiola's squad undergoing notable changes following their third-place finish in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. The club's focus has primarily centered on reinforcing midfield and defense, as they prepare for potential departures in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.

Now, according to reports, both Manchester United and Manchester City have expressed interest in the 21-year-old Cameroon international. Pep Guardiola is described as a 'longtime admirer' of Baleba, while Ruben Amorim, the new Manchester United manager, is also a 'fan' of the player.

However, Brighton have set a substantial asking price of €120 million for clubs interested in acquiring their star midfielder. Baleba, for his part, is happy to remain at the Amex Stadium this summer, with a move considered more likely in a year's time, when Lille would also be due 20% of any future transfer fee.

If Brighton's valuation holds firm, Manchester City may opt to play the long game, as they have in previous pursuits of players like Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte. This strategy could align with Pep Guardiola's squad planning, particularly if the club decides to transition the likes of Ilkay Gündoğan, Mateo Kovacic, and Bernardo Silva out of their starting roles gradually.

However, Manchester United's involvement adds a potential complication. Under Ruben Amorim's leadership, the Red Devils are expected to push aggressively for midfield reinforcements, as the Portuguese coach reshapes the squad in his image. If United were to formalize their interest with a substantial bid, Manchester City would face a decision over whether to match such an offer or risk losing the player entirely.