Carlos Baleba to Miss Start of Premier League Season Due to Injury

Carlos Baleba, a midfielder for Brighton, will not be available for the start of the 2026-27 Premier League season due to an ankle ligament injury sustained during pre-season training.

The injury caused Baleba to miss a recent friendly match against Strasbourg, and while Brighton hopes the issue is not long-term, he is expected to be sidelined for a period. The team has upcoming pre-season matches against Roma and Bologna before their competitive season kicks off with a UEFA Conference League qualifier on August 20.

Interest from Manchester United in Baleba was noted towards the end of last season, but a transfer did not occur. United had previously agreed on personal terms with him last summer but chose to enhance their midfield with other signings instead. Baleba played 31 matches in the Premier League last season, marking his third year with Brighton after joining from Lille in 2023.