The latest Man Utd transfer news amid speculation around Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba's future.
Manchester United target Carlos Baleba in action for Brighton.
Manchester United target Carlos Baleba in action for Brighton.
(Image: Getty Images)
Fabian Hurzeler has claimed he is "100 per cent" confident that Manchester United target Carlos Baleba will be a Brighton player when the summer transfer window closes.
Ruben Amorim's squad remain in the market for a new midfielder and the Brighton man has emerged as their top target for that position. Earlier this month, it was reported that United contacted the Seagulls - via intermediaries - to explore a potential move for the Cameroon international.
The Reds are understood to be among several suitors and interest is building in the former Lille man, who has three years left on his contract. Brighton, meanwhile, do not want to sell him until at least next summer, and he has taken the Premier League by storm since his £27million plus add-ons move in August 2023.
Baleba started in each of Brighton's first two Premier League matches, but came on as a second-half substitute during the 6-0 rout against Oxford United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. He is one of Brighton's most important players and Hurzeler is in no doubt that he will remain at the Amex Stadium.
Asked whether he was 100 per cent confident that Baleba would be staying put at Brighton this summer, head coach Hurzeler said in his press conference ahead of his side's clash with Manchester City: "Yes.
"If there's a number more than 100, I would even say more than 100 so I'm confident."
Brighton have endured a mixed start to the Premier League. They were held to a 1-1 draw against Fulham on the opening weekend despite dominating for most of the game, before falling to a 2-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday.
As for United, they were beaten at League Two side Grimsby Town on Wednesday night - to add to their woes. Amorim's men, like Brighton, had picked up one point from two matches in the top-flight, following a 1-1 draw at Fulham.
Looking to instil some much-needed confidence into the side, United travelled to fourth-tier club Grimsby in the Carabao Cup second round, but the Reds could not stand up to the task and lost on penalties.
United had battled back from 2-0 down and levelled late on, with Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire scoring, but the Reds couldn't keep their composure with Grimsby running out 12-11 winners in the shootout.
Reflecting on the defeat to Grimsby, Amorim said: "I just want to say sorry to our fans, I have nothing to say anymore about the performance. When everything is so important in our club, and you try to do everything.
"You have come from pre-season, even Arsenal you lose the game - but you are there, you are improving and you see the performance, but then reach this kind of game, when everything is so important in our club.
"And when you start a game like this... I think my players are talking really loud about what they want, so I'm really sorry to our fans, I have nothing to say anymore."
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