Baleba was a target for Manchester United over the summer, but the club ultimately decided against signing him due to Brighton's high asking price of over £100 million. Since then, Baleba has not been able to replicate the form that led to the interest from United.

After Brighton's 2-2 draw against Tottenham on September 20, Hurzeler spoke about the potential impact of the transfer interest on Baleba's performance. He acknowledged that it's natural for a young player to be affected by such attention, but emphasized the importance of staying humble and focused on the team's goals.

Hurzeler noted that Baleba is still a young player who needs guidance and support. He emphasized that it's not realistic to expect a player to perform consistently at a high level without understanding their emotions and feelings. The manager expressed his responsibility in helping Baleba navigate these challenges and continue to improve as a player.