Carlos Baleba bounced back from Man Utd heartbreak and personal tragedy to brink of sealing dream Old Trafford transfer

CARLOS BALEBA was left fighting for his career after his failed move to Manchester United last season. Now, the heartbreak could finally work out for the Cameroon star. Carlos Baleba is back in business with a move to Man United very close Credit: Getty The Brighton midfielder lost his mum just when his stock started to rise in Brighton Credit: Instagram @carlos_baleba The 22-year-old has never hidden his ambition of becoming the best midfielder in the world. And this summer, he is on the verge of sealing a move to United, giving him the chance to turn that dream into reality. Play Dream Team this season! £100,000 in prize money up for grabs in 2026/27 Free to enter Play in Mini Leagues against your mates £60,000 jackpot for the overall winner £1,000 prize for winning Gameweek 1 PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW! But behind the potential £60million transfer is a far more emotional story. Baleba’s former national team coach Ashu Cyprian Besong worked with him during the difficult period surrounding his failed move to Old Trafford. And he revealed just how hard the experience was for the young midfielder. Besong told The Sun: “You see, he’s a young player who had this big move and when it didn’t happen, it did affect him. “He’s an emotional player with a lot of potential. “So you could see the drop even from the outside, but those of us inside knew that it was only a matter of time before something massive happened for him again. SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS “The kind of talent he has, it’s difficult to tame it.” Baleba’s numbers also dipped last season. After making 31 Premier League starts and three substitute appearances in 2024/25, he made 23 starts and eight substitute appearances in 2025/26. That came during a campaign in which Brighton secured European football for only the second time in their history. But football has never been simply a sport for Baleba. For the Cameroon international, it has also been an escape from some of the deepest pain of his life. Baleba lost his mother just as his career was beginning to take off. He had moved to Europe and was making his way through Lille, adapting to French food and European weather, when he received the devastating phone call from home telling him his mother had died. Baleba with former Cameroon assistant manager Ashu Cyprian Besong who still keeps an eye on his development Credit: Supplied The Brighton star playing for Cameroon at the AFCON earlier this year Credit: AFP He never got the chance to buy her a house — something many African footballers dream of doing for their families once they make it. Instead, death came before he could repay her for everything she had done for him. And the wound has never fully healed. Baleba told The Sun: “It was very difficult for me because I didn’t see my mum. I wanted her next to me, but when I signed for Brighton, she wasn’t here. “That’s why the first season was really hard. I thought about her a lot. “But I vowed that I would be the best version of myself and go as far as I can in my career.” Baleba excelled at Lille when he first arrived in Europe from Cameroon Credit: Getty Those close to Baleba believe that same determination helped him deal with the disappointment of his failed United move. Cameroon head coach David Pagou also believes the midfielder has the discipline required to reach the very top. Pagou, who took charge of Cameroon in controversial circumstances, has been impressed by Baleba’s attitude despite everything going on around him. Pagou told The Sun: “He’s certainly one who has the discipline to go all the way. “And I mean the discipline to play in a system. “It’s not basic discipline, it’s discipline to listen to his manager and then play for the team. “Normally, when a player has the skill he has and the discipline needed, he goes all the way. He endured a frustrating season last time out after his failed move to United Credit: TNT Now he has the chance to be able to try and win big things if he moves to United Credit: Getty “For me, that is his best way, as most players at that level are skilled but not all have that discipline to stand out.” Now United appear ready to make their move. SunSport has been told Baleba felt he was capable of producing far more than he did last season. He has looked sharp in pre-season before an ankle injury that is expected to sideline him for the next few weeks. United have bided their time and Brighton have finally cracked. Last summer, Baleba’s price tag was a whopping £100million. This time, the reported fee is around £60million plus add-ons. But United would not simply be signing a midfielder with huge potential. They would be signing a young man who has already endured heartbreak, grief, and disappointment, and who believes he can reach the very top. Baleba has made no secret of his admiration for Rodri, who he believes has shown that midfielders of their nomination can dominate at the highest level and even win the Ballon d’Or. And that is precisely what Baleba wants. Baleba says someone like Rodri has made it possible that midfielders can win the Ballon d’or Credit: Getty Baleba’s discipline has been highlighted by his managers Credit: AFP He told The Sun: “I want to win the Ballon d’Or like Rodri. “His success has opened the door for midfielders like us to believe we can win the Ballon d’Or someday.” From losing the mother he dreamed of rewarding, to seeing his dream move to Manchester collapse, Baleba has already been forced to grow up quickly. Now, with United closing in, he could finally have the chance to turn years of pain into the beginning of something extraordinary.