Paul Scholes may have warned Manchester United against signing Carlos Baleba, but a report has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are ready to move for the Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder in 2026 and make him part of Thomas Frank\u2019s squad.<\/p>\n
Baleba<\/a> was one of the top targets for Man Utd in the summer of 2025, but Brighton refused to sell him and demanded over \u00a3100million (\u20ac114.1m, $132.5m) for the midfielder. The 21-year-old, who is under contract at the Seagulls until the summer of 2028 with an option for a further year, has not been in great form so far this season.<\/p>\n However, Baleba remains a key figure for Brighton<\/a>, having made 11 starts in the Premier League so far this season, and Man Utd\u2019s interest in the youngster is intact.<\/p>\n TEAMtalk\u2019s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, reported on November 18 that Baleba is one of three midfield targets for Man Utd in 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n Paul Scholes, though, does not think that Baleba is ready for Man Utd<\/a>, with the Red Devils legend telling Sky Sports<\/a> this week: \u201cBut Baleba is very young. Quality-wise, is he quite there? I think he\u2019s almost in a Caicedo type of way.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s done really well at Chelsea, don\u2019t get me wrong, but is that the type of player Manchester United need? I\u2019m not sure.\u201d<\/p>\n TEAMtalk understands that Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest is now Man Utd\u2019s top midfield target for the January transfer window.<\/p>\n Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes wants to move to Man Utd<\/a>, with the two Premier League clubs already in \u2018talks\u2019 over a January transfer.<\/p>\n According to CaughtOffSide<\/a>, with Man Utd not going all in for Baleba at the moment, Tottenham believe that a window of opportunity has opened for them to make a move for the Brighton star.<\/p>\n \u201cTottenham are monitoring Baleba\u2019s situation,\u201d a source told the publication. \u201cThey sense there could be an opportunity there if United decide to focus on other targets.\u201d<\/p>\n Joao Palhinha, Yves Bissouma, Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, Pape Matar Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur are the central\/defensive midfield options in Tottenham manager Thomas Frank\u2019s squad at the moment (when fit and available), but it seems that Spurs co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici\u00a0and Johan Lange are keen on Baleba, too.<\/p>\n READ NEXT\u00a0<\/strong>\u27a1\ufe0f Will Tottenham sack Thomas Frank? Top source reveals what he has been \u2018told\u2019 about ENIC stance<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n What Man Utd think of Carlos Baleba \u2013 sources<\/strong><\/p>\n As mentioned above, Man Utd have Baleba on their radar as a target, but the Red Devils do not want to pay over the odds for him.<\/p>\n TEAMtalk\u2019s transfer insider, Dean Jones, reported on October 26 that Man Utd have \u2018serious doubts\u2019 over paying \u00a3100million (\u20ac114.1m, $132.5m) for Baleba in 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Man Utd bosses were not overly impressed with Baleba\u2019s performance for Brighton at Old Trafford this season.<\/p>\n Jones has reported that while Man Utd \u2018have felt he is still growing in the game and that while a premium is expected, the current value being spoken of is too high\u2019.<\/p>\n However, Baleba wants to join Man Utd<\/a>, as reported by Jones on November 16.<\/p>\n Jones told TEAMtalk: \u201cIt is being talked about again that Baleba is a priority target, but it has to be stressed that they are not paying \u00a3100million for him any time soon.<\/p>\n \u201cThe player clearly wants the move, and their attempt to turn his head in the summer has worked, but his form has actually been worse since then, and so I do not see Man Utd going close to the level Brighton value him at.<\/p>\n \u201cThe message remains clear that Man Utd want a midfielder in January and also a midfielder in the summer.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, they are working on targets that are attainable in each of those, and the ones from the Premier League seem unattainable in January. That\u2019s how the picture is for now.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, these things can change, but Baleba is going to have to be very patient here because a lot is going on.<\/p>\n \u201cMan Utd do still like him; they do still think he would suit the role, but his form and valuation do not match up at the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd on top of that, Brighton don\u2019t want to sell him in January.\u201d<\/p>\n Tottenham\u2019s pursuit to bring Baleba to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will have two major hurdles.<\/p>\n Not only will last season\u2019s Europa League winners have to pay at least \u00a3100million (\u20ac114.1m, $132.5m) for Baleba, but they will also have to convince him to make a U-turn on his desire to join Man Utd.<\/p>\n Latest Tottenham transfer news: Ivan Toney blow, Kolo Muani plan<\/strong><\/p>\n Meanwhile, The Athletic journalist David Ornstein\u00a0has revealed the chances of Tottenham Hotspur signing Ivan Toney<\/a> in the January transfer window.<\/p>\n Sources have told TEAMtalk how Tottenham feel about making Randal Kolo Muani\u2019s loan deal<\/a> from Paris Saint-Germain permanent.<\/p>\n