Friday, August 8, 2025 - A passionate Manchester United fan has taken an unusual step to support his club's transfer ambitions — by launching a GoFundMe campaign aimed at helping the Red Devils sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.
United have reportedly expressed interest in the 21-year-old
Cameroonian, who impressed last season with 34 Premier League appearances and
three goals under new Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler. According to The
Athletic, Manchester United have made contact with Brighton through
intermediaries to inquire about the conditions of a possible transfer. Baleba
has three years left on his contract, with the option of an additional year at
the Amex Stadium.
However, a move for the young midfielder appears financially
challenging, as United continue to walk a tightrope with the Premier League's
Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The club has already spent heavily this summer, with the
arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford for £71 million and Matheus Cunha from
Wolves for £62.5 million. They are also on the verge of finalizing a deal for
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško, pushing their total summer outlay close to
£200 million — the third highest in the Premier League behind Liverpool and
Chelsea.
In the midst of this, a United fan named Ian M., based in
England, decided to act. On Wednesday night, he launched a GoFundMe campaign
titled "Baleba to Man United Fund", featuring an image of Baleba in
his Brighton kit and a brief but enthusiastic plea: “We need this to happen.”
Ian set a fundraising goal of £120 million, a figure likely
tongue-in-cheek given the actual transfer fees involved in modern football. As
of now, the campaign has not received any donations. The GoFundMe page includes
a prompt encouraging early support: “Give £20 and be one of the first to donate
— your donation is the start of Ian's journey to success. Your early support
inspires others to donate.”
While Ian’s fundraiser might be more symbolic than realistic,
it highlights the growing frustration and emotional investment of fans in the
ever-spiraling world of football finances. The report notes that a move for
Baleba remains unlikely unless Manchester United are able to offload several
players and raise significant funds before the transfer window closes next
month.
Despite the financial strain, the club reportedly remains
keen to reinforce its midfield. Current options include Casemiro, new signing
Manuel Ugarte, Toby Collyer, and attacking midfielders Bruno Fernandes and
Kobbie Mainoo, who could be adapted into deeper roles under manager Ruben
Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 system.
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