Baleba price tag exposes the madness of the player market

Manchester United are considering spending up to 120 million euros to bring Carlos Baleba to Old Trafford.

At 21, the Brighton midfielder possesses all-round physical strength and impressive technique, but that huge number also exposes the question: Is MU really investing in the future, or is he just a new victim of Premier League inflation?

MU and Amorim's ambition

English football has never lacked for blockbuster deals, but the figures on paper do not always reflect the value on the pitch. The case of Carlos Baleba - a young talent from Brighton who is being pursued by Manchester United - is proof of that paradox.

A 21-year-old midfielder with 40 Premier League games under his belt is being priced at €120 million. The question is: is this a real gem or just an exaggerated product of an increasingly distorted transfer market?

There is no denying that Rúben Amorim has brought a new face to Manchester United. He took over mid-season, in a club in disarray from Erik ten Hag’s legacy. Amorim has been ruthless in his clean-up, and has the full backing of the board to rebuild the squad. After Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko – three deals that cost close to €230m – he now wants to improve the midfield, which he sees as the foundation of any footballing philosophy.

Baleba, therefore, became the number one target. It is not by chance that Amorim is willing to put all his efforts into the 21-year-old talent. In a style of play that favors quick transitions, a midfielder who is both physically strong and capable of escaping pressing and organizing attacks is needed, Baleba has all the elements.

Last season, Baleba was in the top 20 players with the most tackles and interceptions in the Premier League.

Born in 2004 in Douala (Cameroon), Baleba is a rare type of player: strong, stubborn, but soft and skillful in handling. He is not exceptionally tall (1.78 meters) but always wins many disputes, has the ability to cover a wide area and especially has balance and flexibility when under pressure.

Last season, Baleba was in the top 20 players in the Premier League for tackles and interceptions - statistics that show a steady defensive influence, despite his young age.

What makes Baleba special is his ability to keep the ball and progress it. He is not only safe, but also bold. 87.4% passing accuracy, many successful dribbles (57.9% - top 3 in the league), and a style of “ball tearing” the pressing line that opponents find difficult to predict. Baleba does not panic under pressure; on the contrary, he enjoys taking risks.

His former background as a winger also explains his pace, explosiveness and spatial awareness. Baleba is quick to dribble past his marker and then deliver a crisp pass. He is the kind of midfielder every modern coach craves: a box-to-box player who is complete enough to turn defence into counter-attack in seconds.

The shadow of the "future midfielder"

Baleba has only been with Brighton since the summer of 2023, for €27 million from Lille. In two seasons, he has proven that he is not just a “development project” but a real pillar. With 40 appearances last season, and the ability to play in many positions - from central midfielder, holding midfielder, even on the wing or playing in a second-half - Baleba is not only versatile, but also reliable.

What makes Baleba special is his ability to keep the ball and develop it.

At 21, there is still a lot of room for improvement. That is why Brighton confidently set the price at 120 million euros. They know that once he leaves the Amex "nest", his value will increase even more.

The problem is the numbers. For United, spending £120m on Baleba could be a statement that they are serious about rebuilding from the ground up. But at the same time, it also exposes the risk: Baleba is not a proven name at European level. He has not played in the Champions League, has not stumbled in fierce knockout matches. Is the current certainty sustainable enough to become the "heart" of a team hungry for titles?

In the Premier League, we have seen some controversial deals. When Newcastle spent €70 million to buy Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad in 2022, everyone said it was crazy. Now, Isak is worth double that. So can Baleba follow that path, or will he just be another inflated contract due to market fever?

Baleba is clearly not a mere “bubble” product. He has the qualities to become a top midfielder in Europe. But 120 million euros for a player who is only at the potential stage is always a gamble. For MU, it is a decision between committing to a long-term project with Amorim, or once again becoming a victim of “Premier League inflation”.

Time will tell. But certainly, Carlos Baleba puts himself at the centre of a debate: what is the real value of young talent in modern football?

Source: https://znews.vn/cai-gia-baleba-phoi-bay-su-dien-ro-cua-thi-truong-cau-thu-post1578812.html