Brighton midfielder and Manchester United target Carlos Baleba is not for sale “in this or any future transfer window”.
Seagulls chairman Paul Barber has told The Pitch Prospect, insisting he has no plans to make money from the 22-year-old star.
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United are known to be admirers of Baleba, who has put himself on the radar of a number of top clubs after his great rise in three seasons at Brighton.
The Cameroon international, who is currently representing his country at the AFCON, moved to the south coast from Lille in 2023 for around £23 million.
The Pitch Prospect understands that the Seagulls expect Baleba to receive a higher transfer fee than the record-breaking £115m Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo if they ultimately decide to sell.
Brighton has developed a reputation for making money if the price is right. They have raised almost £350 million from Premier League giants through just five player transfers alone.
The Seagulls’ five biggest sales all came in the last four years and Caicedo was there [£115m]Marc Cucurella [£63m] and Joao Pedro [£60m] Everyone was flogged to Chelsea, Alexis Mac Allister [£55m] to Liverpool and Ben White [£50m] to Arsenal.
It appears Baleba would be the next off the production line, claiming United are ready to make a move either in January or when the summer transfer window opens at the end of the season.
Manager Fabian Hurzeler has even publicly stated that United’s interest has affected the 22-year-old’s performances after his form dipped at the start of the season.
However, Barber has insisted Brighton have “no desire” to let him go and there has been no contact at all from United this month.
“Not a call from Old Trafford, not a call from anyone connected with Manchester United,” the Brighton boss told The Pitch Prospect’s Alex Crook.
“We have no plans or desire to sell Carlos in this or any future window.
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“We know he is a talented player and has many options ahead of him for the future.
“But for us at the moment he is an important player in the second half of the season and we are looking forward to getting him back from AFCON.”
Ferguson’s return is not in sight
Barber also responded to claims Evan Ferguson could return to Brighton in January.
The striker was sent out on a season-long loan to Roma in the summer, but things aren’t quite going according to plan for the Irishman, who has only scored three goals for the Italian side.
Ferguson was also criticized by manager Gian Piero Gasperini, leading to suggestions his loan stay could be cut short.
But Barber has ruled that out too, telling The Pitch Prospect: “It’s very unlikely, I would say – we don’t have that option.”
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“If he were to come back it would be because the club that currently has him doesn’t need him in the second half of the season for some reason.
“But at the moment I think it’s very unlikely. He’s playing well and scoring goals. So yeah, it’s not really one that’s in our power.”
“Disgusting heart beats for Brighton”
Barber also opened up about the surprise deal to bring Pascal Gross back to the Amex Stadium from Borussia Dortmund.
The German midfielder only left Brighton in 2024 to join the club he supported as a boy in a deal worth £8million.
After signing, he even revealed that he had his childhood room painted black and yellow.
But after just 18 months and 66 games for his favorite team, he is now back at Brighton, where he will make his 261 appearances in the Seagulls jersey.
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“It’s hard to keep transfers secret these days, almost impossible, but we did it and it’s just fantastic to have Pascal back,” Barber said after bringing the midfielder back for £1.3million.
“He played over 250 games for the club in around seven seasons, scored a lot of goals, created a lot of goals and was very popular on and off the pitch, not only with players and coaches, but also with the staff around the club and of course the fans.”
“I think when Pascal left it was because he wanted to play for his boyhood club, but I think his heart stayed here.
“I think when he left he hinted that maybe it wasn’t impossible to see him here again and I think the fans took that to mean maybe coaching at some point in the future.”
“We are happy to have him back with us.”