Man Utd target Carlos Baleba gets reality check as Rio Ferdinand disagrees with Roy Keane

Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United fans to keep their expectations in check when it comes to Carlos Baleba. The Brighton enforcer, 21, is top of United's midfield wishlist, but the nine-figure sum required to bring him to Manchester likely means another year before a transfer materialises.

Ferdinand admits he would love to see Baleba in a United shirt this season, but whether it happens or not, he warned that the Cameroon international wouldn't be able to solve all of manager Rubem Amorim's problems. Instead, the former United defender believes Baleba would need time to adapt and develop before he can make a lasting impact.

"Baleba, he's a young kid, he's a wonderful talent, high ceiling. [But] what I would say is, it's about managing expectations if someone like him does come in," Ferdinand said on his YouTube show.

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"By no means am I saying that you buy him and he's the absolute answer and he's the key to everything being unlocked. He's a young kid who will need to develop. He'll need to be integrated into the squad, into the system.

"He'll have to learn and understand the responsibilities of being at Manchester United. Different requirements. Different pressure. All these things come into it when you sign for Manchester United. He'll make mistakes, but that's part of it."

Despite calling for patience, Ferdinand insists Baleba has the potential to be a transformative signing and urged United to wrap up a deal this month regardless of the price tag to avoid fierce competition for his signature next year.

"He's something different to everything we've got there [in midfield]. And that difference is something that can really push this squad on. Not immediately, but it can happen. He'll learn," the 46-year-old said.

"My biggest fear is if we don't get him this window, everyone is awake now. Other teams will be at the desk next time with their chequebooks out and Brighton's asking price will be higher."

It's understood the Seagulls have no intention of parting ways with Baleba this summer and have slapped a £104million asking price on him to deter United and any other potential suitors - a figure influenced by Moises Caicedo's £115m move to Chelsea just two years ago.

Ferdinand believes the fee would be worth paying, but his former United team-mate Roy Keane isn't so sure. "I'd be surprised if it happened. Because I still think that kid, he's got to do a bit more," Keane said on the .

"You're talking about £100m, but I still think it's potential with a lot of these players. You can't pay £100m for a player where you don't know which way he's going to go."

Baleba joined Brighton from Lille for £26m in 2023, stepping in to fill the void left by Caicedo following his mega-money move to Stamford Bridge. He's gone from strength to strength ever since, establishing himself as one of the Premier League's most dynamic ball-winning midfielders, with composure in possession to match.

He is understood to be open to a switch to Old Trafford and is prepared to keep pushing despite terms between the clubs being the glaring issue with regards to a move coming to fruition this summer. United are reportedly reluctant to meet Brighton's valuation.

According to The Athletic, they aren't expected to lodge a formal bid, mindful that Baleba has just two Premier League seasons behind him and is still developing. They're also wary of Brighton's reputation as tough negotiators, with the south coast club commanding big fees for not only Caicedo, but also the likes of Marc Cucurella, Joao Pedro and Ben White in recent years.

The financial context is also significant. Having already spent more than £200m this summer on Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, United would see a move for Baleba take their outlay beyond £300m - and eclipse their transfer record, set when Paul Pogba returned for £89m in 2016.

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