The midfielder continues to carry a £100million valuation inside the club, even as his current situation on the south coast raises questions.
Manchester United remain admirers, but Baleba’s form and status at Brighton are in an uncertain place.
That uncertainty was highlighted in midweek, when he was substituted after just 22 minutes of the defeat to Aston Villa. It was a difficult moment for the 22-year-old, who looked distraught in the dugout after being withdrawn so early.
Baleba has completed just two Premier League games this season, a statistic that underlines his stop-start campaign.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler was quick to offer context. Baleba had been shown an early yellow card and, with the game becoming stretched, there were concerns he could be at risk of a red.
“We've already spoken,” Hurzeler said. “In the end, it’s a bad decision from the referee to give him, in this situation, a yellow card.
“It’s a wrong decision for me. I saw a lot of similar fouls afterwards without giving yellow cards so it doesn't make sense for me.”
Struggling to reset
Hurzeler framed the substitution as protection rather than punishment, and it is not the first time this season Baleba has been taken off after being booked.
However, there remains an underlying issue as he looks to recapture his best form.
There is a feeling in some quarters that he has struggled to fully reset after Manchester United’s strong interest last year, with suggestions his head may have been turned during that period.
What makes the situation more intriguing is that United’s interest has not gone away.
Sources indicate the Reds still hold genuine admiration for Baleba. Yet Brighton are determined to stand firm on their £100m valuation, which continues to make any potential move very unlikely.
It is understood that if his price tag were closer to £70m, there would be a greater chance of him re-emerging as an active target for United.
The complication for Baleba is that United are widening their midfield search.
He has been placed alongside Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as key options, while Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali has now entered the thinking. Wolves’ Joao Gomes is also attracting interest.
For now, Baleba remains highly valued… but facing a pivotal period in how he deals with this moment.
