Brighton are keen to keep hold of Baleba, who is under contract until 2028 with the option of a further 12 months, and warned United it would take a fee around the £115 million ($156 million) Chelsea paid to sign Moisés Caicedo two years ago to get a deal for Baleba over the line.

There's still some quality players on the market.

Manchester United's interest in Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba has left former team-mates Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane at odds on whether they should pursue a transfer

During the pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with Fulham, Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler expressed his confidence about his protégé's future.

VIKTOR GYOKERES will be playing at Old Trafford on Sunday – and many expected it would be his permanent home this summer. Ever since Ruben Amorim’s appointment was confirmed at Manchester United

United have signed attackers Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko this summer, as well as young defender Diego Leon. But they have not strengthened their shaky midfield and Baleba would be a perfect candidate to improve Ruben Amorim’s options.

Manchester United are being linked with a new midfielder from the Netherlands, as the possibility of Carlos Baleba joining the club grows slim after Brighton sent them a stern warning.