Brighton Chief Executive Paul Barber Hopes Carlos Baleba Remains At Club For Many Years Amid Manchester United Interest

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Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has clarified that Manchester United have not approached them regarding Carlos Baleba. The 21-year-old midfielder has attracted attention from United, who are keen to strengthen their midfield. They have already added Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to their attack. Baleba's performance last season included 46 interceptions, ranking him joint-11th in the Premier League, alongside 46 tackles, three goals, and one assist in 34 matches.

Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton's manager, has seen players like Joao Pedro, Simon Adingra, and Pervis Estupinan leave during this transfer window. Despite these departures, Barber is optimistic about retaining Baleba for the foreseeable future. At a fans' forum event covered by BBC Sussex, Barber stated: "We have some great talent. There's always going to be interest in our players. Manchester Utd have not been in touch with me, so from that point of view, speculation is speculation."

Barber emphasised the club's strategy of selling players at the right time for both the player and the club's benefit. He mentioned that any sales would aim to maintain a competitive squad for Fabian Hurzeler. "We will always as I said earlier try and make sure that we sell our best players at the right time," Barber explained. "That is not just for the player but also for us."

Baleba is considered a significant asset for Brighton due to his potential and skill set. Barber expressed hope that Baleba would remain with the Seagulls for many years. "Carlos is a fantastic, fantastic talent," he said. "He's got a lot of years ahead of him and we hope he will be here for many years to come." The dynamics of football transfers can be unpredictable, but Brighton aims to keep their top talents.

The club remains committed to ensuring they retain their best players while navigating the ever-changing football landscape. Although there is interest from other clubs, Brighton hopes to keep Baleba as part of their long-term plans.