Galatasaray allocated a significant portion of its transfer budget to reinforcing its midfield and made an inquiry for Brighton's defensive midfielder, Carlos Baleba. The management contacted the Premier League club about the price for the 22-year-old Cameroonian. Brighton reportedly responded with a transfer fee demand of 90 million euros. Following this development, Galatasaray withdrew from the transfer. Coach Okan Buruk was said to greatly admire the player.
Baleba has been capped 16 times by Cameroon. He joined Brighton from Lille in August 2023 for a reported sum of €27 million and holds a contract until 2028. His market value is listed as €55.00m by Transfermarkt. The midfielder has also been linked with clubs including Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. Brighton's reported asking price is consistent with a summer 2026 valuation of £70-£80 million (€82-€94 million). This valuation is a reduction from the £100 million (€115 million) figure cited in late 2025.
