Brighton & Hove Albion has firmly stated that Carlos Baleba will not be leaving the club this summer. The 20-year-old Cameroonian midfielder has impressed since joining from Lille for £23 million in August 2023, making a total of 77 appearances for the Seagulls, including 61 in the Premier League. His strong performances in midfield have caught the attention of both Manchester United and Manchester City, but Brighton is determined to retain him.

According to talkSPORT, the south coast club has set an extraordinary valuation of £115 million on Baleba, matching the fee Chelsea paid for Moisés Caicedo in 2023, which set a British transfer record. Reports suggest that Brighton may only consider selling Baleba in a year, potentially leading to another record-breaking transfer.

Brighton CEO Paul Barber addressed the speculation during BBC Radio Sussex’s Fan Forum, emphasizing that there has been no formal approach from Manchester United. “Manchester United have not been in touch with me. Speculation is speculation. We will always try to sell our best players at the right time, not just for the player but for us. We don’t want to sell our best players,” he stated.

Barber also praised Baleba’s talent and long-term potential, saying, “Carlos is a fantastic talent who has many years ahead of him. We hope he will be here for many years to come. But football isn’t always predictable.”

Brighton is set to host Wolfsburg this Saturday as part of their pre-season preparations, with their Premier League opener against Fulham scheduled for August 16. For now, fans can be assured that Baleba is staying put. However, with interest from both Manchester clubs, the competition for his signature may just be beginning.