Man Utd to bid for Baleba in January as Brighton demand £100m

Manchester United remain interested in Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba and plan to revive their pursuit when the January transfer window opens, but the club face a costly price and fresh competition from other Premier League sides, according to reports. United opened talks over the 21 year old during the summer but withdrew after Brighton made clear they were not prepared to sell for anything below a substantially elevated fee.

The two clubs held discussions in the summer after United registered interest, sources said, but Brighton resisted offers and is thought to value Baleba at around £100 million to £115 million. That figure reflects the club's approach to recent sales and has been a principal barrier to any deal. United are reported to have judged the cost prohibitive at the time, though they are expected to return if Brighton's stance softens.

Baleba has been linked with visits to both Manchester and Liverpool this month, and his family are understood to have examined facilities at Premier League clubs as speculation about his future intensified. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler acknowledged the wider attention, saying the player might have been affected by the stories....