Brighton & Hove Albion have made it clear that Carlos Baleba is not for sale this summer, bringing Manchester United’s pursuit of the talented 20-year-old midfielder to an abrupt end.
According to the athletic, the Seagulls reportedly demanded a fee close to the £115 million they received from Chelsea for Moises Caicedo, a valuation United’s board refused to match.
Amorim’s Disappointment
United’s interest in Baleba was driven by new manager Ruben Amorim, who identified the Cameroonian as a key addition to his midfield plans ahead of the new Premier League season.
Despite positive discussions with the player’s camp, the huge asking price, coupled with Brighton’s reluctance to part with another star, halted progress.
Player’s Position and Brighton’s Reasoning
Sources suggest that while Baleba was open to the move, he was not desperate to leave. Brighton, already weakened by the departures of Joao Pedro, Simon Adingra, and Pervis Estupinan this summer, are determined to maintain squad stability and avoid further disruption before the season begins.
The club views Baleba as central to their plans and believes selling him now could damage their competitive edge.
What Lies Ahead
Although this transfer window will not see Baleba in a United shirt, the Red Devils are expected to continue monitoring his performances. A potential move could be revisited in the future if Brighton’s position changes.
For now, the midfielder remains at the AMEX as Brighton gear up to face Fulham in their season opener.
