Latest Manchester United transfer news as Brighton & Hove Albion make a decision over Carlos Baleba for their Premier League game against Fulham on Saturday
Carlos Baleba celebrates after a Brighton & Hove Albion game
Carlos Baleba is a transfer target for Manchester United(Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Carlos Baleba has been named in Brighton's first starting line-up of the Premier League season following links to Manchester United during the summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old featured in 34 of 38 Premier League fixtures for the Seagulls last season. It is understood that Baleba is valued at £100 million at the very least as they would hope to repeat the business that saw Moises Caicedo move to Chelsea two summers ago.
Subsequently, the Manchester Evening News reported that while United are interested, they are unlikely to complete a deal for the Cameroonian before the transfer window closes on September 1.
Having spent almost £200m on the attacking trio of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, United would be prepared to delay chasing a deal until next year.
So it is business as usual for the midfield star and his current club, Brighton, who begin their Premier League campaign at home to Fulham at 3pm on Saturday. Baleba missed three pre-season fixtures due to injury but has been passed fit enough to return for the start of the season.
He begins in a midfield defensive midfield two alongside Yasin Ayari, taking the place of Diego Gomez, who started the Seagull's latest pre-season friendly against Wolfsburg.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler had been asked about Baleba and outside transfer interest before the match.
"Very, very, very confident (he will stay)," the manager told the media attending his press conference, adding: "It's just my belief.
"I didn't see any change in him. He only changed his hair, that was the only change he 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.
"He's very grateful to have the progress he made in the last season. I didn't see any big change. He is an option to start for tomorrow."
Baleba himself suggested he is focused, posting a picture of himself in training with his current club in the build-up to the Premier League's opening weekend.
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