Brighton and Hove Albion have released an official statement regarding midfielder Carlos Baleba amid reported interest from Manchester United in the player.
The Seagulls moved quickly to address speculation surrounding the Cameroonian international, who has attracted attention from several top clubs this season.
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in the summer of 2023 and has since established himself as a key figure in Fabian Hurzeler’s midfield setup at the Amex Stadium.
Manchester United were among the clubs linked with a move for the 21-year-old, with reports suggesting the Old Trafford side had been monitoring his progress closely.
Brighton’s statement made clear the club’s position on Baleba and reinforced their intention to retain their most important players ahead of the second half of the season.
The south coast club has built a strong reputation in recent years for developing talent and securing significant fees when players do eventually depart for bigger clubs.
Baleba has made a strong impression in the Premier League this season, showcasing his ability to break up play and drive forward from deep midfield positions with real confidence.
His performances have drawn comparisons to former Brighton midfielders who went on to command large transfer fees, including Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister in previous windows.
Manchester United’s interest comes at a time when the club continues to reshape its squad under head coach Ruben Amorim, who took charge at Old Trafford late last year.
Amorim has been keen to bring in players who fit his high-intensity pressing system, and Baleba’s profile reportedly appeals to the Portuguese manager and his coaching staff.
Brighton’s willingness to issue a public statement signals how seriously they are treating the speculation, with the club eager to avoid any unnecessary distraction during a crucial period.
The Seagulls currently sit in a competitive position in the Premier League table and will be desperate to keep their strongest players available for the remainder of the campaign.
Baleba himself has not commented publicly on the transfer speculation, and Brighton will hope his focus remains firmly on club matters for the foreseeable future.
The January transfer window often generates significant noise around in-demand players, and Brighton have previous experience navigating intense interest in their key midfield assets.
Whether Manchester United will push further for Baleba before the window closes remains to be seen, but Brighton’s statement suggests they have no intention of making a deal easy.
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