Arsenal transfer news: Brighton & Hove Albion star breaks silence on exit talk

When Brighton chose to sell Moises Caicedo to Chelsea for a British record fee in August 2023, Lille prospect Baleba was the Ecuadorian's successor.

The 20-year-old did not necessarily enjoy the best of first campaigns with the Seagulls, making just 15 starts in the Premier League despite being named in 34 squads by then-head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

However, it has been a different story since the arrival of Fabian Hurzeler, the Cameroon international having started to develop into one of the most promising young midfielders in the division.

One goal and one assist have come from his eight top-flight outings during 2024-25, yet it is combative performances in the engine room that are gaining an increased amount of attention.

How has Baleba responded to transfer rumours?

In recent weeks, reports have indicated that the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are both interested in signing Baleba at some point in 2025.

Brighton would expect to recoup well in excess of the £23.2m that they shelled out last year, but Baleba has revealed that he has no plans to leave the South coast anytime soon.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Baleba said: "I don't really think like that: playing for two or three years and then leaving. Me? I just work. In my head it's all about working and helping my club.

"If I can help a teammate, I will. If they can help me, I'll accept that help to push forward and develop. So I just work to help my team and for myself, to progress for the future.

"In return, everyone who helps me wants me to go to the highest level. And if there are big clubs who want me, it's not something that worries me or gets me excited. I just need to work hard and keep a cool head."

Will admirers now look elsewhere?

The business model used by Brighton means that a sale would only be considered if they stood to make a huge profit on Baleba.

Given that they generated £115m for Caicedo, club officials would realistically turn down any approach that does not eclipse at least £50m.

Each of Arsenal and Spurs already have established midfield options at their disposal and would only pay that level of fee if Baleba was regarded as an immediate first-choice pick.

Taking that into consideration, much will depend on whether Baleba is able to keep his development on an upward trajectory for the remainder of 2024-25.