Brighton clarify Carlos Baleba’s future amidst Manchester United link

Brighton have issued a statement concerning Carlos Baleba’s future as the young midfielder continues to be linked with Manchester United.

Baleba, 21, is entering his third season with the Seagulls, having joined them from French side Lille in 2023 for £23.2million. Two years later and the Cameroonian is valued at around triple that amount.

Manchester United are understood to have made contact with Brighton via intermediaries as they weigh up a bid in the final weeks of what’s been a busy summer transfer window at Old Trafford.

Reports emerged on Wednesday claiming that United had been in touch to explore the conditions of a move.

Carlos Baleba  looks on during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Leicester City FC. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Brighton’s chief executive Paul Barber has now clarified the issue just hours after the news broke. He told BBC Sussex: “We’ve got some great talent, there’s always going to be interest in our players.

“Manchester United have not been in touch with me. So from that point of view, speculation is speculation. We will always try to make sure we sell our best players at the right time, not just for the player but for us.

“If we end up doing that with any player, it’s with the view to leave Fabian [Hurzeler, manager] with a very competitive squad, whatever happens. We don’t want to sell our best players.

“Carlos is a fantastic talent who has a lot of years ahead of him. We hope he will be here for many years to come. But it’s something that, as always, is subjective to the dynamics of the football world which isn’t always predictable.”

Brighton begin their Premier League campaign at home to Fulham on Saturday, August 16. It’s still unclear if United will meet Brighton’s valuation of Baleba as Ruben Amorim hopes to strengthen his squad.