Carlos Baleva was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window, but Brighton ended his contract with Manchester United.
Carlos Baleva says he is back to his best form ahead of Brighton’s clash with Manchester United. The 21-year-old midfielder, who was linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer, will be hoping to show Ruben Amorim exactly what he is capable of in this weekend’s clash.
Valeva commemorated the Seagulls’ win over Newcastle United in an Instagram post on Saturday afternoon. “A good team won and I feel like myself again. #areyouabaleba,” the Cameroonian international captioned a collection of images from the Amex Stadium.
United players Lenny Yolo and Andre Onana were among the thousands of users who liked the post. Valeva endured a rocky start to the season, with Fabian Hürzeler openly demanding he improve, but he impressed at the weekend.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Magpies game, the Brighton manager called for him to “step up and show some character”. “I think we’re at a point now where it’s up to him and he has to take responsibility,” Hürzeler said.
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“He can’t change the noise around him. He’s a Brighton player. Whatever the rumors, he’s a Brighton player until the end of the season (at least). But now he has to take responsibility.”
“Now he has to step up and show character. It’s definitely the next step in his personal development. As I’ve said in recent weeks, there are waves of growth, but you can only get out of it if you take ownership and take responsibility. There are moments when no one will help you.”
“You have to be your own support, your own help. He’s in the best environment he can get here and has great teammates who are there for him and support him.
“But now it’s also up to the player to step up, show character and take ownership of his own development. That’s what I will ask of him in the future.”
Tony Bloom recently spoke about Baleva’s future and admitted that United are indeed interested in signing him. “I don’t think Baleva was a legend,” the Seagulls owner told the Argus.
“There was interest from Manchester United and we said he wouldn’t be available this summer and then they left, so we’ve had a lot of bigger stories in the past.
“But Carlos Baleva, his development is immeasurable. He is a very important player for this football club and we are very happy that he is with us this season.”
According to the Manchester Evening News, United approached Brighton about the possibility of signing Baleva and were told the deal would cost around £100m. The club had already spent £215m on new players and struggled to justify such an investment financially.
United did not consider midfield reinforcements to be an immediate need, so they signed three high-profile forwards: Matheus Cunha, Brian Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesco. Baleva remained at the Amex Stadium, but the Red Devils appear ready to make another attempt to obtain his signature.
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