According to the "Team News", Manchester United seized the lead in the battle for Baleba, and Brighton had asked for a price of 120 million euros in the winter window.
Manchester United has begun to pursue the 21-year-old Baleba. The club has contacted Brighton senior management to understand the transfer conditions, but the specific amount has not been determined yet. Manchester United management has expected that the transfer fee will be very high. Manchester City had inquired in the winter window, but Brighton directly set a price of 120 million euros, which forced Guardiola, who admired Baleba very much, to wait for the summer window.
Liverpool and Arsenal are also paying attention, but Manchester United is currently taking the lead, and head coach Amorin regards Baleba as an important cornerstone of Manchester United's future plans. This may also be good for Lille, who will receive a 20% share of the resale share from Baleba's more than €30 million transfer fee. Brighton paid €30 million for signing Baleba, and if the transfer fee reaches €120 million, Lille will receive €18 million.
Baleba's growth rate is amazing, because before joining the Premier League, he only had six starts in Lille in Ligue 1, and despite this, Brighton bets on the player.
Subsequently, Baleba became the core of Brighton. Although his style was different, he was regarded as the successor of Kessedo, who transferred to Chelsea for 116 million euros in 2023, which also shows Brighton's excellent sales and star-making ability.
Baleba is even expected to become the most expensive player in African history, depending on the transfer fee Manchester United is willing to pay. Anyway, Amorin values him very much.