Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler insists he has no doubt that Carlos Baleba will remain at the club this season, despite reported interest from Manchester United.
United had enquired about the 21-year-old earlier this month but backed away once it became clear that Brighton were unwilling to consider a sale.
Baleba, who joined from Lille in 2023, has already played in both of the Seagulls’ opening Premier League matches and has made 80 appearances since his arrival on the south coast.
When pressed on whether the Cameroon international would still be a Brighton player beyond Monday’s transfer deadline, even if a significant offer came in, Hurzeler gave a definitive response: “Yes.”
He then added: “If there is a number more than 100 [%], I would say more than 100, so fantastically confident.”
Brighton have been busy in the transfer market this summer, bringing in six new players to strengthen Hurzeler’s squad. The arrivals include defenders Maxim de Cuyper from Club Brugge, Olivier Boscagli from PSV Eindhoven and Diego Coppola from Hellas Verona, while midfielder Tom Watson has joined from Sunderland.
They have also added winger Yoon Do-young from Daejeon Hana Citizen and forward Charalampos Kostoulas from Olympiakos in a deal worth £29.8 million.
However, Hurzeler does not expect any further business before the window closes. Asked whether he believed Brighton were done in the market, he replied: “I have a feeling. Sometimes it’s not so clever to share the feelings you have with the public, but overall I’m very happy with the squad.”
