Manchester City have been busier than most during the 2025 summer transfer window.
Following a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, Pep Guardiola wanted four to five new faces added to his squad ahead of the upcoming campaign, and Man City have hit that target by adding six.
The Manchester club are yet to add a new right-back to their ranks, and it looks like that will not happen over the coming weeks, as Man City are believed to be done signing players during the current transfer window.
Knowing this, fans of the Premier League giants were shocked when their interest in a £104m star emerged this week, with supporters having mixed feelings about the deal.
Man City have mixed feelings about Carlos Baleba signing
It was reported on Thursday that both Manchester City and Manchester United are showing interest in Carlos Baleba, who is valued by Brighton & Hove Albion at €120m (£104m) for the current transfer window.
Man City fans have been reacting to this update with some supporters keen to add the midfielder to their squad, while others cannot justify the fee when right-back is still an issue.
One Man City fan wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Silly money, but transforms midfield. Better or has the potential to be better than most of our other options. Just to stop him from going to United and transforming them is a good enough reason.”
A second City supporter wrote: “Right-back should be a priority, we’ve got enough midfielders! Need to shift a few as well, pronto.”
A third Man City fan was more supportive of the deal, saying: “Just pay the money man, stop faffing about.”
Carlos Baleba would be the ideal Rodri replacement
With a contract at Brighton until 2028 and a £104m transfer fee attached to him, it is fair to say Baleba will not be leaving the Amex Stadium this summer.
Guardiola may be a long-term admirer of the 21-year-old; however, the Manchester club are well stocked in midfield, and the Spanish coach would be better off signing a new right-back ahead of the 25/26 campaign.
Next summer may be different as Real Madrid remain interested in Rodri and could make a move for the Spaniard if he doesn’t sign a new contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Baleba is a physical and very aggressive midfielder and would bring a lot to Man City if he joined next summer.
By then, several stars will have left Manchester, while Brighton’s asking fee is likely to be lower, which makes a transfer in 12 months a more realistic option.
