Brighton boss Hurzeler says Carlos Baleba needs time after Man United links
Midfielder was benched at Bournemouth amid months of transfer speculation and a reported £120m price tag, manager says
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said Carlos Baleba needs time and support to rediscover his best form after the 21-year-old midfielder was affected by sustained transfer speculation this summer.
Baleba started Brighton’s first three Premier League games of the season but was named on the bench for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth, coming on in the 66th minute. Manchester United had identified the Cameroon international as a top midfield target during the window before abandoning a move late on after failing to make progress on a deal reportedly valued at around £120 million. Despite United’s withdrawal, Baleba is understood to remain keen on a move in the future, while Brighton are confident of keeping him for at least another season.
Speaking after the Bournemouth defeat, Hurzeler acknowledged the impact the transfer noise has had on the player. “I think it's normal for a young player when the media creates the noise around him,” he said. “It's not easy for this player to handle it. Therefore, we need to give him the time and support so he comes back to his best performance.”
Hurzeler added that youth should be factored into expectations. “But he's a young player and I think that's something we have to accept, that young players don't always have the face we want to see,” he said.
The manager had expressed public confidence that Baleba would remain at the club before the season opener against Fulham, saying he was "very, very, very confident" the player would stay and that the midfielder’s attitude had not changed amid the links. Hurzeler also made a lighter remark at the time, saying Baleba “only changed his hair, that was the only change he made in the last two weeks.”
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and enjoyed a breakout campaign last term, becoming a key figure under Roberto De Zerbi. His dynamism and ability to break the press helped establish him as one of the Premier League’s most promising young midfielders before Hurzeler took charge last summer.
Manchester United’s interest in Baleba followed a difficult season for the club, which left midfield reinforcements a priority after recording their worst-ever Premier League finish. United had identified Baleba as a potential partner for Bruno Fernandes but did not complete a deal after Brighton resisted efforts to lower their asking price.
Brighton have retained the player this summer and, while the squad contends with the early-season fixtures and the aftermath of the international break, the manager has signalled a measured approach to managing Baleba’s reintegration and form. The club did not disclose any plans to revisit a transfer this window and continue to prepare with a squad Hurzeler described as committed to the campaign ahead.