United are now looking at a new central midfielder after bolstering their forward line through the additions of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško, and it was revealed earlier this month that an ambitious move for 21-year-old Baleba is under consideration.

External sources have indicated a summer deal is "too difficult". Baleba remains tied to Brighton until 2028, with an additional year's option, and the club previously offloaded midfielder Moises Caicedo to Chelsea in 2023 for a then-British record £115million.

Man Utd are interested in signing Carlos Belba this summer but Brighton are reluctant to sell the young midfielder.