Fabian Hurzeler would not offer a fresh update on Carlos Baleba as Manchester United's reported £70million move edged closer. He said Brighton have to deal with more adversity, and he was clear that the club cannot expect calm every time one of their best players is targeted.

Brighton's response to another sale

Hurzeler's strongest line was simple enough. "Overall, we have to understand that it's part of our identity, and that it's part of the journey the club is on. Therefore, I'm not here to complain," he said via manchestereveningnews.co.uk.

That sits alongside a second comment that points to how he wants Brighton to react internally. "We all find solutions together, we need to stick together, and we need to face different adversities," Hurzeler said.

The context is familiar for Brighton. They have already seen Danny Welbeck and Jan Paul van Hecke leave during the same transfer window, while Baleba has remained available and part of the side. His recent league form has not dropped off either, with a 7.06 average rating across his last five Premier League appearances and 362 minutes played in that spell.

The deal United agreed

The move itself is reported at £70million, with the structure split as £65million plus £5million in add-ons after United increased their offer by £5million. Hurzeler would not go beyond that, saying, "No, I can't tell you anything because we have to wait on how it develops in the next few hours."

He also shut down the rumour mill when asked about the situation, adding, "As I said, I'll never comment on any rumours that are currently in the media, it's also something I definitely can't control. A lot of things are written, and I know about situations."

Brighton's recent league results have been mixed, with two wins and three defeats in their last five, but that is not the main issue here. The bigger point is that another major exit now looks close, and Hurzeler is choosing acceptance over complaint.

Brighton have already absorbed two departures in the same window, and the Baleba deal is the one that most clearly shows how much demand there is for their players. The next update is due in the next few hours, with Hurzeler already describing the situation as part of Brighton's journey.

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Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →