Brighton & Hove Albion
United’s Baleba Pursuit Highlights a More Frugal Transfer Plan
United are closing in on Baleba, but at a fee far below Brighton’s earlier valuation and the market peak.
Manchester United are moving closer to a deal for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, and the numbers point to a notable shift in how the club are operating in the market. What was once a player valued at $135 million could now arrive for a far smaller fee, underlining a recruitment approach built on restraint rather than excess.
In a summer defined by soaring midfield prices, United are trying to complete a major central overhaul without joining the most inflated end of the market. With Casemiro gone and Manuel Ugarte sidelined by a knee injury that has ended his season, the club have already added Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for $47 million and Andrey Santos from Chelsea for about $66 million. Although United’s priority was said to be a new left back rather than another midfielder, Baleba now looks close.
The Athletic first reported that talks with Brighton had reached an advanced stage for the 22-year-old. United’s opening bid of $81 million, plus a possible $6.8 million in add-ons, did not meet Brighton’s demand, but there is growing belief a compromise will be reached for well below last summer’s figure.
Baleba’s value has also been shaped by a difficult 2025-26 season. Fabian Hürzeler said his player had been “affected” by the speculation. “I think it’s normal for a young player when the media creates the noise around him,” the German boss accepted. “It’s not easy for this player to handle it.”
After establishing himself as a key figure in 2024-25, Baleba drifted in and out of the Brighton line-up during the second half of last season. It was notable that he began Brighton’s final match in May against Manchester United on the bench.
Even so, United may still make him their most expensive signing of the summer. Yet his likely fee would remain below the biggest midfield outlays seen across the division, as Premier League clubs continue to push the market higher while United try to avoid the steepest end of it.
Aston Villa
Premier League Gameweek 8 calls: Chelsea host Spurs as Liverpool face Brighton
Chelsea host Spurs as Liverpool meet Brighton in a weekend of tight Premier League predictions.
The Premier League returns after another midweek round of continental action involving nine English clubs, and Gameweek 8 arrives with little room for recovery. Several of the league’s biggest sides are back in action quickly, while a number of awkward fixtures could shape the standings before the weekend is over.
Friday’s opener at Portman Road looks finely balanced. Ipswich Town have collected nine points from seven matches and have taken two-thirds of that tally at home, with wins over Sunderland and Fulham lifting them to 10th. Nottingham Forest, however, arrive with their own issues, and goals have been difficult to come by for the Tricky Trees. A draw feels the likeliest outcome.
Aston Villa’s meeting with Man City is one of the standout fixtures on Saturday. Villa have won five of their last six, while City have maintained a perfect Premier League run, though their domestic record remains surrounded by uncertainty off the pitch. Even so, their form under Pep Guardiola has been efficient, and with Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden in encouraging touch, they are tipped to edge it.
Arsenal are expected to keep pace at the top with a home win over Everton. The Gunners remain defensively solid, even if their attack will be without Bukayo Saka, while Everton are likely to sit deep and counter through Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish.
Chelsea’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur closes Saturday and the home side look strong favourites. Spurs have won only once at Stamford Bridge in 25 years, while Chelsea have scored 17 goals in seven matches under Xabi Alonso. João Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers have all been in form.
Elsewhere, Liverpool’s meeting with Brighton has the feel of a high-scoring draw, Man Utd are predicted to share the points with Bournemouth, and Sunderland’s test against Leeds United could be decided by fatigue after their trip to Poland.
Aston Villa
Premier League Gameweek 7 predictions: Chelsea tested at Everton, Leeds host Manchester United
Gameweek 7 brings Chelsea to Everton, Liverpool to Brentford, and Manchester United to Leeds on a busy weekend.
A fresh round of Premier League action arrives with Gameweek 7 beginning in Merseyside and ending in north London, and there should be no shortage of movement across the weekend’s fixtures.
Chelsea open the slate at Everton after a commanding 5-1 win over Bournemouth, a result Xabi Alonso described as a “complete performance” from his side. Jordan Henderson’s brace, along with goals from João Pedro and Morgan Rogers, has added to the sense that Chelsea are building momentum. Everton, though, have not lost in the league so far and remain difficult to beat at home, even if their recent record in this fixture favours the visitors only narrowly.
Liverpool travel to Brentford after a high-scoring midweek outing against LASK, while Manchester City will look to answer their own recent setback when Ipswich visit. Newcastle, meanwhile, face an Aston Villa side that appears to be settling after a mixed start, and Fulham meet Hull in a game that could be stubborn rather than open.
The south coast brings another notable contest as Bournemouth and Sunderland both come in after Thursday European wins. Brighton also return home after a convincing continental outing, although Crystal Palace’s strong league form means that match may be tighter than the table suggests.
Sunday’s headline fixture takes Leeds against Manchester United. United remain under scrutiny after a difficult start, and Elland Road is not the sort of venue that offers easy relief. Leeds have already shown enough resilience to suggest they can make life awkward again.
At the City Ground, Arsenal face a Nottingham Forest side that has made a habit of frustrating them on home soil. Forest have only one league win so far, but the numbers behind them suggest they are not far off a better return.
Tottenham close the round against Coventry, with the visitors arriving in confident mood after consecutive wins. Spurs are still searching for rhythm, but this looks like a chance to impose control if they can settle quickly.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton complete the September awards double as Groß and Hürzeler recognised
Brighton swept the September prizes as Pascal Groß and Fabian Hürzeler were both honoured for their strong form.
Brighton & Hove Albion have taken both Premier League monthly honours for September 2026, with Pascal Groß named Player of the Month and Fabian Hürzeler receiving the Manager of the Month award.
Groß’s case was built on a productive run that included two goals and three assists, with performances that helped Brighton see off Leeds United, Coventry City and Arsenal. His September tally also sits alongside the goal he scored in the comeback win over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, even though that competition did not count towards the league award itself.
At 35, Groß makes history as the first Brighton player to ever claim the prize. He is also the sixth-oldest winner in the award’s history, behind only Paul Scholes, Gianfranco Zola, Cristiano Ronaldo, Teddy Sheringham and the record-holder Stuart Pearce, who was two months shy of his 39th birthday in February 2001.
The manager’s award follows a September that gathered pace after a slow start. Brighton opened with a 1-1 draw with Leeds, but Hürzeler’s team responded strongly by dismantling Coventry 5-0 before delivering a convincing 3-0 win over Arsenal. That result stood out not only for the scoreline, but also for the way Brighton controlled the contest and underlined their form.
It left them sitting third heading into the international break, with October set to test that momentum. Sunderland and Crystal Palace arrive first, before Brighton face away trips to Liverpool and Manchester City, with a Carabao Cup visit to the Etihad also on the schedule.
If Hürzeler is to remain in contention for further recognition next month, Brighton will need another demanding month to match their September.
