Overview

• Fabian Hurzeler said he is “very, very, very confident” that Carlos Baleba will remain at Brighton and confirmed the midfielder is fit and available after a minor knee issue.
• Manchester United have been preparing an opening approach for the 21-year-old but have not yet submitted a formal bid for his services.
• Brighton value Baleba at around £100 million and plan to retain him this summer with an eye on a potential sale in 2026.
• United’s more than £200 million spent on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko has left the club dependent on player sales to fund any major midfield addition.
• With the September 1 deadline nearing and Brighton publicly resisting departures, a summer transfer for Baleba now appears unlikely without a shift in United’s financial strategy.