Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is a doubt for the start of the 2026-27 season after suffering an ankle ligament injury during pre-season. The Seagulls are hopeful the problem is not a long-term setback, although the Cameroon international is expected to spend a spell on the sidelines.Baleba missed Brightons 4-3 friendly win over Strasbourg on Saturday after sustaining the injury.Fabian Hurzelers side still have pre-season fixtures against Roma and Bologna before beginning their competitive campaign with a UEFA Conference League qualifier against Tromso or CFR Cluj on August 20. Brighton then host Aston Villa in their opening Premier League match three days later.The 22-year-old attracted interest from Manchester United towards the end of last season, but a move never materialised.United had broadly agreed personal terms with Baleba last summer and continued to monitor his progress throughout the 2025-26 campaign before opting to strengthen their midfield with the signings of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans instead.Baleba made 31 Premier League appearances last season, his third campaign with Brighton following his move from Lille in 2023.Brighton have been active in the transfer market this summer, bringing in Luka Vuskovic, Michael Svoboda, Pascal Struijk, Costinha and Zadok Yohanna. Topics Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Manchester United F.C. Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read August in the Premier League: Five key fixtures to watch Tom Rostance 4th August, 2026 Jadon was not on trial with the club: Non-league Flixton deny Sancho transfer rumour Cian Cheesbrough 3rd August, 2026 One position every Premier League club still needs to strengthen in before the transfer window closes Mitch Fretton 2nd August, 2026 Garnacho aims dig at Chelsea after making Aston Villa debut in Indonesia Cian Cheesbrough 2nd August, 2026 Manchester United 2-1 Atletico Madrid: Report, result, goals Ben Miller 1st August, 2026 Manchester United kit 26/27: Full details on new blue away shirt and strip Ben Miller 1st August, 2026
