Brighton Shut Door on Manchester United’s Pursuit of Carlos Baleba

Brighton have made it crystal clear to Manchester United: Carlos Baleba is not for sale.

United had identified the 20-year-old Cameroon midfielder as a prime transfer target this summer, with reports suggesting his price could soar towards the £100 million mark. But in direct talks, Brighton reportedly refused to even quote a fee—signalling their absolute unwillingness to part with him.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news, revealing that the Seagulls’ stance left United with little choice but to move on.

“Manchester United made official and formal contact with Brighton today for Carlos Baleba, as expected. Clear answer from #BHAFC: no intention to sell, not even indicating a price for this summer. Man United now expected to turn attention to different targets,” Romano wrote.

Opinion:
This is classic Brighton—disciplined, decisive, and fiercely protective of their prized assets. In an era where many clubs are tempted to cash in when a big-money offer looms, the Seagulls are showing they’re not a feeder club; they’re building something of their own.

For Manchester United, it’s a setback, but perhaps also a blessing in disguise. Spending close to £100 million on a relatively unproven player would have been a gamble, especially given the other holes in Erik ten Hag’s squad. The refusal forces United to think smarter in the market, maybe even looking for value in places they’ve overlooked before.

Brighton’s message is clear: if you want their best players, you’ll have to do more than flash the chequebook—you’ll have to wait for the right moment, and that moment is clearly not this summer.