Geremi has told Manchester United they missed out on signing ‘the next top player’ in the summer transfer window after being linked with a move.
It was reported in August that United approached Brighton over a potential deal to sign Carlos Baleba, making the midfielder one of their main targets.
Manchester City were also said to be interested in the 21-year-old Cameroon international but he ended up stating with the south coast side.
The two Manchester clubs reportedly walked away from a possible deal due to Brighton’s huge valuation, thought to be in excess of £100m.
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has since admitted Baleba has been ‘affected’ by United and City’s interest.
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Former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder Geremi is a huge fan of his Cameroonian compatriot Baleba and says United should’ve signed him.
‘I think it’s a pity that Manchester United didn’t manage to sign him, because this guy is the future,’ Geremi told BestBettingSites.co.uk.
‘When you look at him, he’s definitely got the ability. I can’t call him the best midfielder just yet, but he’s ready to prove it on a bigger stage.
‘But when you take a good player and improve the quality of those around him, then they improve even more quickly.
‘For all the problems at United right now, I think Baleba would have benefited from that step up.
‘He really is going to be the next top player. I’ve watched him a few times, and I hope he has good people around to advise him.
‘He can play with both feet, and at his young age, what he needs to focus on is his decision-making.
‘What we need to see is that he has the awareness and maturity to make the right decisions consistently.
‘If he keeps up with that, he’ll be a very good player. Perhaps United will come back in for him.
‘But even if it’s another club, the important thing is that he doesn’t let his performances drop down.
‘If he keeps playing like this, he’ll get his big move.’
Baleba joined Brighton from French club Lille in 2023 and has played a total of 82 games for the Seagulls to date.
He was crowned Brighton’s Young Player of the Season last term and has eight international caps for Cameroon.