Manchester United told transfer target is ‘not for sale’ by rival Premier League chief

Jan 3, 2026 - 17:00

Brighton midfielder and Manchester United target Carlos Baleba is not for sale ‘in this or any future transfer window’.

That’s what Seagulls chairman Paul Barber has told talkSPORT, insisting he has no plans to cash in on the 22-year-old star.

United are well known admirers of Baleba as they look to revamp their midfield in the coming transfer windows

United are known to be admirers of Baleba, who has put himself on the radar of a number of top clubs following his superb emergence during three seasons at Brighton.

The Cameroon international, who is currently representing his country at AFCON, only joined the south coast side from Lille for around £23million in 2023.

talkSPORT understands the Seagulls expect Baleba to fetch a bigger fee than the club-record £115m Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo when they eventually decide to sell.

Brighton have built a reputation for cashing in when the price is right. They have banked close to £350million from Premier League giants through just five player transfers alone.

The Seagulls’ five biggest sales have all come in the last four years, and have seen Caicedo [£115m], Marc Cucurella [£63m] and Joao Pedro [£60m] all been flogged to Chelsea, Alexis Mac Allister [£55m] to Liverpool and Ben White [£50m] to Arsenal.

It has appeared Baleba would be the next one off that production line, with claims 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 gone public in saying United’s interest has affected the 22-year-old’s performances, following a dip in form earlier in the season.

However, Barber has insisted Brighton has ‘no desire’ to let him go and that there has been no contact at all from United this month.

“No call from Old Trafford, no call from anyone connected to Manchester United,” the Brighton chief told talkSPORT’s Alex Crook.

“We have no plans or desire to sell Carlos in this window or any future window.

Brighton's Cameroonian midfielder #17 Carlos Baleba (R) chases the ball pressured by Crystal Palace's Colombian midfielder #08 Jefferson Lerma (L) as Referee Tim Robinson (L) watches during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion at Selhurst Park in south London on November 9, 2025. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) — Baleba has developed into one of the Premier League’s top young players with Brighton

Barber insists Brighton have no plans to sell another of their prized assets

“We know that he’s a talented player and he’s got a lot of options ahead of him in the future.

“But for us right now he’s an important player in the second half of the season and we’re looking forward to getting him back from AFCON.”

Ferguson return not on the cards

Barber also responded to claims Evan Ferguson could be in line for a return to Brighton in January.

The striker was shipped out to Roma on a season-long loan in the summer but it has not exactly got to plan for the Irishman, who has scored just three goals for the Italian side.

Ferguson has also faced criticism from manager Gian Piero Gasperini, leading to suggestions his loan stay could be cut short.

But Barber has ruled that out too, telling talkSPORT: “It’s very unlikely, I’d say – we don’t have that option.

Around a year ago, Ferguson was said to be valued at £100m after a stunning breakthrough at Brighton, but now he faces having two failed loan moves with West Ham and Roma

“If he were to come back it would be because, for whatever reason, the club that has him at the moment doesn’t need him in the second half of the season.

“But at the moment I think it’s probably very unlikely. He’s playing well, scoring goals. So yeah, it’s not really one that’s in our gift.”

‘Gross’ heart is with Brighton’

Barber also opened up on 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 £8m.

He even revealed after signing that he had his childhood bedroom painted black and yellow.

But after just 18 months and 66 games playing for his favourite team, he’s now back at Brighton where he will add to his 261 appearances in a Seagulls shirt.

Gross is back at Brighton less than two seasons after leaving the club to join boyhood side Borussia Dortmund

“It’s hard these days to keep transfers under wraps, almost impossible, but we did manage to do that and it’s just fantastic to have Pascal back,” said Barber after bringing the midfielder back for £1.3m.

“He played over 250 games for the club over seven or so seasons, scored a lot of goals, created a lot of goals, very popular on and off the pitch, not just with players and coaches but also the staff around the club and obviously with the fans.

“I think when Pascal left, it was because he wanted to play for his boyhood club, but I think his heart remained here.

“I think when he left, he alluded to the fact that it might not be impossible to see him again here and I think the fans took that to mean maybe as a coach at some point in the future.

“We’re delighted to have him back.”