Brighton will retain Carlos Baleba for the season, with manager Fabian Hurzeler expressing complete confidence that the Cameroon international will not be sold before the transfer deadline. Manchester United made enquiries about Baleba but ended their pursuit after Brighton refused to sell. Baleba has started both of Brighton's Premier League matches and has made 80 appearances since joining from Lille in 2023. Brighton signed six players this summer: Maxim de Cuyper (17.5m), Olivier Boscagli (free), Diego Coppola (undisclosed), Tom Watson (10m), Yoon Do-young, and Charalampos Kostoulas (29.8m). Hurzeler does not expect further arrivals before the deadline and is happy with the squad.
Manchester United made enquiries about the cost of signing the 21-year-old, but called off their pursuit earlier this month amid the Seagulls' refusal to sell. Baleba has started both of Brighton's Premier League games so far and has made 80 appearances for the club since joining from Lille in 2023. When asked if the Cameroon international will stay at Brighton past Monday's transfer deadline, even if a lucrative bid come in, Hurzeler replied "yes".
"If there is a number more than 100 [%], I would say more than 100, so fantastically confident," said Hurzeler. Brighton have signed six players this summer, including defenders Maxim de Cuyper from Club Brugge for 17.5m, Olivier Boscagli from PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer and Diego Coppola from Hellas Verona for an undisclosed fee. Midfielder Tom Watson joined from Sunderland for 10m, winger Yoon Do-young was signed from Daejeon Hana Citizen and forward Charalampos Kostoulas was recruited from Olympiakos for 29.8m.
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