3 godzin temu
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has offered Manchester United fresh hope in their pursuit of midfielder Carlos Baleba by expressing a philosophical acceptance of losing star players. The German boss declared the club will "always find solutions" when top talents depart, potentially opening the door for United's transfer ambitions.
Manchester United are actively targeting the 20-year-old Cameroonian midfielder as their next major signing, as the Daily Star reports. The pursuit comes after United finalised a £74 million deal for Benjamin Sesko, alongside separate signings of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha under Ruben Amorim's squad transformation.
Baleba's dramatic value surge
Brighton value Baleba at £104 million despite signing him from Lille for just £23 million in 2023, according to the Mirror. The midfielder remains under contract until 2028, giving Brighton significant leverage in any potential negotiations with interested clubs.
Manchester City are also pursuing Baleba, creating a competitive bidding war for one of the Premier League's most promising young talents, as the Metro reports. This rivalry between the Manchester clubs could drive up the transfer fee even further.
Manager's relaxed departure stance
Hurzeler demonstrated a measured approach to potential exits during recent interviews, stating Brighton "always find solutions" when players leave. The manager emphasised the club's selective approach, noting they have "proved we are not selling every player" after rejecting substantial offers for stars like Kaoru Mitoma.
The Brighton boss expressed confidence in his squad's resilience, declaring he feels "no fear" about losing key players. He highlighted the club's "togetherness" as their biggest asset against financially superior rivals, suggesting this unity helps them compete with teams who "might be individually better than us."
United's direct recruitment approach
Manchester United players have directly contacted Baleba as part of their recruitment efforts, according to the Mirror. This player-to-player approach represents United's attempt to gain an advantage over Manchester City in the race for the midfielder's signature.
The Daily Star reports that United's strategy focuses on Premier League-proven players following mixed results from previous overseas signings. Baleba's rapid adaptation to English football makes him an attractive target for a club seeking immediate midfield reinforcement.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Daily Star", "Mirror", "Metro"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
