Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly already preparing for the potential departure of Carlos Baleba amid significant interest from Manchester United.
The Cameroon international has been heavily linked with an Old Trafford switch in recent weeks and reports indicate that he is eager to join Ruben Amorim’s side, with personal terms not expected to be an issue.
Baleba started Brighton’s 1-1 draw against Fulham on Saturday, but he remains on Man Utd’s radar as they look to bring a new central midfielder to the club before the summer transfer window closes on 1 September.
However, the Manchester Evening News claim that a deal is more likely to take place in 2026 as Brighton will reportedly be more amenable to a sale next summer.
Brighton identify Carlos Baleba replacement
Brighton may be set to sell Matt O’Riley to Juventus before Transfer Deadline Day and they have no interest in losing Baleba as well. Furthermore, Fabian Hurzeler recently admitted that he believes Baleba will remain at the AMEX Stadium for the 2025-26 season at the very least.
A sale could take place next summer, however, and Brighton have already lined up Baleba’s replacement.
That is according to Graeme Bailey, who claims that Malick Yalcouye could step into the Brighton first-team once his returns from a loan spell at Swansea.
Yalcouye, 19, joined Brighton for €7m from IFK Gothenburg in 2024 and he joined Swansea on a temporary basis last week, following a successful stint at Sturm Graz in 2024-25.
Bailey told TBR Football: “We believe there’s been a lot of interest in him, and they’ve taken their time to find the right club. I think Swansea is the perfect place for this boy.
“They play good football, and it looks like he’s someone they feel could possibly help replace Baleba.”
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