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.

Interest is set to be reignited next year, and while all hope isn't lost, senior figures at the club think a deal in this transfer window before 1 September is unlikely.

The Seagulls have valued him at a whopping £100m ($135m) mainly to block offers from the potential suitors.