Brighton are keen to keep hold of Baleba, who is under contract until 2028 with the option of a further 12 months, and warned United it would take a fee around the £115 million ($156 million) Chelsea paid to sign Moisés Caicedo two years ago to get a deal for Baleba over the line.

Carlos Baleba's Brighton future is up in the air and Man United are pushing hard to agree landmark deal very soon

It has been well documented that the Seagulls wanted at least £100million for Baleba and, crucially, they were not willing to sell him this summer. As such, The Manchester Evening News reported on Friday that United were happy to wait until next year to sign Baleba.