Brighton & Hove Albion are facing a summer of upheaval as their stars become prime targets for Premier League heavyweights. Manchester United have completed the signing of midfielder Carlos Baleba in a blockbuster deal worth up to £70 million, marking the third major raid on the Seagulls’ talented squad.
The Cameroon international has signed a five-year contract with the option for another 12 months after United agreed a £65m fee plus £5m in add-ons and a sell-on clause. Baleba will join Bruno Fernandes in manager Michael Carrick’s revamped midfield following Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury. The 22-year-old wasn’t at his peak last season. United didn’t care.
Liverpool’s pursuit of winger Yankuba Minteh may prove less successful, however, with reports suggesting Brighton remain optimistic about retaining the Gambian talent who arrived from Newcastle United in summer 2024. Can the Seagulls hold firm on at least one of their prized assets?
The exodus doesn’t end there. Chelsea have also dipped into Brighton’s ranks this summer, signing striker Danny Welbeck to bolster Xabi Alonso’s ing options alongside their £60m acquisition of Joao Pedro. Brighton’s business model of developing talent before selling at premium prices continues to reshape the Premier League landscape, though the scale of this summer’s departures will test even their renowned recruitment machine.
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