Manchester United’s transfer window drama has taken another twist. The club, after spending more than £200m this summer, has now made a final call on one of their top midfield targets, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.
The young Cameroonian, only 21 years old, has been on United’s radar for months. Reports suggested that some United stars even reached out to Baleba personally to convince him to move to Old Trafford. But Brighton have made their stance very clear: they will not be selling their prized midfielder this summer.
Brighton’s new manager Fabian Hurzeler addressed the media ahead of their Premier League opener against Fulham. The German coach was pressed with multiple questions about Baleba, but his confidence never wavered.
When asked how sure he was that Baleba would remain at Brighton this summer, Hurzeler replied: “Very, very, very confident [that he will not leave]. Yes. This is just my belief.”
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That simple but strong response summed up Brighton’s position. They are standing firm, and United now know that a deal in this transfer window is off the table.
United had looked at Baleba as the next big piece to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s midfield. But Brighton’s valuation, over £100m, was simply too much.
For context, Brighton once sold Moises Caicedo to Chelsea for £115m. That set a benchmark. With Baleba tied down until 2028, Brighton are under no pressure to sell.
This high price, combined with United’s already heavy spending on Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Bryan Mbeumo, has forced the Manchester club to step back. Sources suggest United may return for Baleba next year, but this summer looks finished.
One concern many had was whether Baleba himself would be distracted by all the speculation. Hurzeler dismissed those doubts in a light-hearted way.
“I didn’t see any change in him. He only changed his hair, so I think that was the only change he made in the last two weeks!” the manager joked.
He added: “He’s enjoying it with his team-mates. He’s enjoying being a Brighton player. He’s very grateful for the progress he made last season. So I didn’t see any big change.”
That statement will comfort Brighton fans. Their rising star is focused on football, not headlines.
Brighton kick off their Premier League campaign against Fulham, and Hurzeler confirmed that Baleba could be in the starting eleven.
“He is an option to start tomorrow, yes,” the coach said.
The injury list at Brighton is also looking much better than last season. Only Adam Webster and Solly March remain unavailable. Hurzeler praised his medical staff for their summer work, saying:
“They did a great job during the summer, so the only players not available are Adam Webster and Solly March. Hopefully it stays like this.”
For Manchester United, this decision leaves them with a problem. They had hoped to bring in one more midfielder before the window closed, but options are now limited. Baleba was seen as the perfect blend of youth, energy, and potential.
But United’s new coach Ruben Amorim must now look elsewhere or wait until next year. The midfield rebuild may not be fully complete this summer, and that could affect United’s title hopes.
For Brighton, keeping Baleba is a massive victory. The club has developed a reputation for selling its stars, like Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister, and Marc Cucurella, for big money. But this time, they’re standing firm.
It shows their ambition to grow stronger in the Premier League instead of being a stepping stone for bigger clubs.
Among Manchester United fans, reactions have been mixed. Some believe the club should have pushed harder to sign Baleba, arguing that quality midfielders at his level are rare. Others think it’s smart not to overspend after already committing more than £200m.
For now, Carlos Baleba stays at Brighton, but the story isn’t over. United may come back next summer, and other European giants could also join the race. His performances this season will likely determine how much demand there will be in 2026.
The transfer window is full of twists, and this Baleba saga is no exception. United wanted him. They even made contact. But Brighton’s confidence, Hurzeler’s defiance, and a £100m wall have stopped the deal in its tracks.
The verdict: Carlos Baleba remains a Brighton player. United will have to wait.
