The Athletic has reported that United have initiated contact with Brighton through intermediaries as the club see Baleba as their prime midfield target. The 21-year-old enjoyed an impressive campaign for the Seagulls, featuring 34 times in the Premier League and scoring three goals for the club who finished outside of the European spots.
However, United may be struggling for money amid the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for £62.5M and £71M respectively as they battle financial rules which has not been helped by their lack of sales during the transfer window.
As financial issues continue, one fan has set up a GoFundMe page hoping to raise an ambitious £120M to sign the Cameroon international. However, the most successful charity appeal on the website raised almost £34M and was titled 'America's food fund' meaning it is very unlikely that the funds will ever be raised.
The description reads: “We need this to happen we need this to happen we need this to happen we need this to happen,” and £5 has currently been raised by one donor. The incoming addition of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko will take their spending to almost £200m, the third highest in the division after Liverpool and Chelsea.
Once Sesko's transfer is finalised, Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada are expected to prioritise securing a midfielder but the club may not be able to splash the cash once more if they do not secure the sales of many of their deadwood players such as Alejandro Garnacho who have been deemed surplus to requirements by manager Ruben Amorim.