Manchester United spent the summer trying to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, but their chase ended in disappointment. Despite weeks of talks and interest from manager Ruben Amorim, Brighton refused to budge on their massive £115 million price tag. The Red Devils couldn’t convince the Seagulls to lower their demand, and the move fell apart before the transfer window closed.
Baleba, just 21 years old, had been seen as one of the most exciting young midfielders in the Premier League last season. He scored three goals in 34 league appearances and impressed with his physical style and energy in the middle of the pitch. But this season hasn’t gone as smoothly.
According to reports from The Sun, Baleba has held private talks with Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler about his form and future. Since United’s summer interest, the Cameroonian midfielder has struggled to find his rhythm. He’s been substituted at half-time three times this season, raising questions about his performances and fitness.
Sources say Baleba has reassured Hurzeler that he’s fully committed to Brighton despite ongoing transfer rumours. The midfielder has been dealing with a knee injury that affected his pre-season and left him short of match fitness heading into the new campaign. That setback seems to have impacted both his confidence and consistency on the pitch.
Manchester United are reportedly still keeping a close eye on Baleba’s situation. If his form improves and Brighton’s stance softens, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see United return for him in a future transfer window. For now, though, Baleba is focused on getting back to full strength and proving his worth to Brighton after a rocky start to the season.
