As Carlos Baleba continues to attract serious attention from Manchester United, questions naturally arise about how Brighton might respond should a deal materialise.
🚨🔴 Manchester United approached Carlos Baleba’s camp this week to be informed on player’s situation.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 6, 2025
Brighton plan to keep Baleba at the club as price tag would be very high, seen as difficult deal.#MUFC plan to try get new midfielder after Šeško deal this summer. pic.twitter.com/gzfkohFP2J
Baleba, signed from Lille just a year ago, has developed rapidly under Roberto De Zerbi and now Fabian Hurzeler, becoming a key part of Brighton’s midfield engine. His blend of physicality, pressing intensity, and progressive passing makes him an attractive fit for INEOS’s long-term rebuild at United — and with reports suggesting he’s firmly on their radar, Brighton may soon face the prospect of reinvesting once again.
To be clear: there are no confirmed replacements lined up yet. But here are five midfielders who, in theory, could step into that Baleba-shaped hole — all of whom share some mix of youth, defensive presence, and untapped potential.
Lucien Agoume - Sevilla
Agoumé was once seen as a teenage phenom in France, but after struggling to break through at Inter, he has quietly rebuilt his reputation during a solid loan spell at Sevilla. He’s not a flashy player, but tactically intelligent, physically strong, and very composed under pressure.
Statistically, he completed over 88% of his passes in La Liga last season and averaged 2.1 interceptions per 90 minutes, highlighting his defensive awareness and ability to read the game. What stands out about Agoumé is his positional discipline and ball retention, which would slot neatly into Brighton’s structured midfield setups.
Brighton like players with a point to prove. Agoumé fits the bill.
Malick Yalcouyé - Brighton
Yalcouyé is one of Brighton’s most exciting young midfielders — already on their books, and fresh off a title-winning campaign with Sturm Graz, where he played over 30 games and won Austria’s Young Player of the Year award. He’s aggressive, energetic, and has the instincts of a true box-to-box midfielder. He averaged over 3 tackles per game, loves to carry the ball through the middle third, and shows real intent on and off the ball. On paper, he’s a natural Baleba successor.
But the current issue is that he’s still raw. There are moments where he’s muscled off the ball or slow to recover positionally — areas that Brighton’s coaching staff will want to refine before throwing him into the deep end.
A full season training with the first team — possibly with cup or substitute minutes — could bridge that gap. But if Baleba leaves this summer, Brighton may opt for a stopgap or more ready-made alternative while Yalcouyé continues to develop.
Jonathan Varane - QPR
Jonathan Varane may not be as well-known as his famous brother, but he’s been quietly impressive at QPR. A combative defensive midfielder, Varane led the team in tackles and interceptions last season, thriving under pressure in a relegation-threatened side.
If Brighton want steel in midfield to replace Baleba’s bite, Jonathan Varane offers exactly that.
Averaging 3.1 tackles and 1.9 interceptions per 90 in the Championship, Varane is a true destroyer — someone who thrives on breaking up play, winning duels, and anchoring the midfield with minimal fuss. He doesn’t offer much going forward, but what he lacks in flair, he makes up for in grit, positioning, and sheer work rate. Comfortable sitting deep and screening the back line, he’d bring a tougher, more rugged edge to Brighton’s midfield options.
Valentin Atangana Edoa - Reims
Valentin Atangana has quietly emerged as one of the most promising young midfielders in Ligue 1. At just 18, he has already earned consistent senior minutes with Stade de Reims, a testament to his maturity, discipline, and readiness to compete at the top level.
Primarily operating as a holding midfielder, Atangana excels in maintaining defensive structure, winning duels, and breaking up opposition play. He combines strong physical attributes with a cool-headed approach on the ball, showing confidence in tight areas and making smart, efficient passes to retain possession and build play from deep.
While he is not yet a creative force in the final third, his positional intelligence, ability to shield the defence, and calm decision-making make him an ideal fit for clubs with a possession-based philosophy. He is still developing his game in terms of tempo control and leadership, but the foundation is there for a high-level modern No. 6.
Noé Lebreton - Caen
Noé Lebreton has quietly been one of the most consistent young midfielders in France’s Ligue 2. At just 20, he’s already played over 60 games for Caen and has established himself as a reliable, intelligent presence at the heart of their midfield.
Known for his defensive solidity, Lebreton ranks highly in key metrics such as tackles and duels won, showcasing his ability to break up play and shield the backline effectively. His performances have earned him recognition as one of France’s most promising midfield talents, with many expecting him to make the jump to a top-tier league soon. He also brings good tactical flexibility. He can sit as a left-sided No. 6 in a double pivot, or play as a more reserved No. 8 — offering balance while others get forward.
Physically, he still has room to develop — especially at Premier League intensity — but his football IQ, work ethic, and technical base make him a strong long-term option.
So?
Whether or not Baleba departs this summer, Brighton are almost certainly planning for the long term — and the club has earned a reputation for finding undervalued talent before the rest of Europe catches on.
There’s no perfect replacement for Carlos Baleba — but as history shows, Brighton don’t look for perfect. They look for potential. And these five would all offer that in different forms.
