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Brighton issue OFFICIAL response to Man Utd talks with Carlos Baleba
Tom Weber
- Updated: 3 Jan 2026 15:08 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Carlos Baleba is not for sale despite fresh links with Manchester United, according to Brighton CEO Paul Barber.
The Cameroon international was in the news again on Friday when several reports surfaced regarding his future. Sky Sports reported that Man Utd had begun exploring a January move but acknowledged that a mid-season move was unrealistic.
Elsewhere, reports claimed that the Red Devils were unwilling to match Brighton's hefty asking price and that additional suitors, namely Liverpool and Man City, had also begun making checks on Baleba.
Current ETV
Carlos Baleba
DM, M (C)
Brighton
Carlos Baleba
DM, M (C)
Brighton
ETV Range
€62.4M - €76.3M
Man Utd, of course, consider the 22-year-old a priority target for 2026, along with Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson. The Old Trafford club sought to do a deal for Baleba last summer but were unable to convince Brighton to consider a sale.
Baleba was keen on the move and agreed personal terms with Man Utd. The fact that the move didn't come off has affected his performances, as Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler has openly admitted.
Brighton boss denies Man Utd rumours
Now, Seagulls CEO Paul Barber has responded to the latest rumours swirling around Baleba. Speaking on talkSPORT, the Brighton chief insisted that no talks with Man Utd have taken place and made it clear that the midfielder is not for sale.
"No call from Old Trafford," he said in response to Friday's reports. "No call from anyone connected to Manchester United. We have no plans or desire to sell Carlos in this window, or in any future window.
"But we know he's a talented player, and he's got a lot of options ahead of him in the future. For us right now, he's an important player in the second half of the season, and we're looking forward to getting him back from AFCON."
Barber's comments obviously ought to be taken with a pinch of salt. Despite his assertion that Brighton don't want to sell Baleba in future windows, it is widely expected that the youngster will be on the move in the summer.
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