Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has told Manchester United he is confident midfielder Carlos Baleba will not move to Old Trafford this summer.
United have been strongly linked with Baleba as Ruben Amorim looks to strengthen their weak midfield options. However, TBR Football reported this week that Brighton will remain firm that Baleba is not for sale.
Now, Hurzeler has spoken publicly on Baleba’s future ahead of Brighton’s Premier League opener against Fulham on Saturday.
Brighton & Hove Albion FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League
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United intermediaries have been working on a possible deal for Baleba, who would be open to a move, TBR Football understand. However, he won’t push for a move and Hurzeler says Baleba has responded positively in training this week.
How Carlos Baleba has reacted to Manchester United transfer links
Discussing Baleba’s future, Brighton boss Hurzeler declared he is ‘very, very, very confident’ that the 21-year-old will not be sold this summer.
And in a further blow to United, Hurzeler noted that Baleba has enjoyed training in the build-up to Brighton’s Premier League opener.
Brighton & Hove Albion FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC - Premier League
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“I didn’t see any change, he’s only changed his hair,” joked an upbeat Hurzeler. “I think that’s the [only] change he’s made in the last two weeks.
“But overall he seems to be in a really good place, he’s enjoying it with his team-mates, he’s enjoying being a Brighton player. I didn’t see any big changes and he’s an option to start tomorrow”.
Brighton owner Tony Bloom will hold firm on Carlos Baleba stance
As reported earlier this week, TBR Football have been told Brighton owner Tony Bloom has personally intervened in Baleba’s future, insisting that the Cameroonian is not for sale.
Tony Bloom the chairman of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton
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If United, or any other interested club, are able to change that stance, it may cost over £100m to sign Baleba.
United have signed attackers Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko this summer, as well as young defender Diego Leon. But they have not strengthened their shaky midfield and Baleba would be a perfect candidate to improve Ruben Amorim’s options.
However, with Hurzeler expressing his confidence in Baleba’s future remaining at Brighton, United may now have to turn their attentions elsewhere.