Manchester United had an approach for Baleba rejected near deadline day 12 months ago, when Brighton's valuation stood in excess of £100m.
But after missing out on a separate move for Matheus Fernandes earlier this summer, Michael Carrick's side turned their attention back to the 22-year-old as Brighton's asking price came down significantly. United's opening offer of around £60m, with a further £5m in potential add-ons, remains below Brighton's valuation, though talks between the two clubs are described as continuing amicably.
Baleba would become United's third midfield addition of the summer, following the arrivals of Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48m and Youri Tielemans, who joined from Aston Villa in July for £35m. Mason Mount had impressed alongside Santos in United's opening three pre-season fixtures, but has since been managing a foot problem picked up against Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg on 8 August.
Baleba himself is working his way back from an ankle ligament injury sustained during a pre-season training camp in Austria, with the issue not considered serious and the midfielder expected to be sidelined for a further two to three weeks. Brighton, meanwhile, fly to Norway on Wednesday for the first leg of their Uefa Conference League play-off against Tromso, managed by Fabian Hürzeler.
The Cameroon international made 35 appearances for Brighton last season, picking up seven yellow cards as he established himself as one of the division's more combative defensive midfielders, and has made 112 appearances in total since joining from Lille in 2023.
Reports elsewhere suggest United's package could ultimately stretch closer to £65m once add-ons and structuring are finalised, with a five-year contract said to already be prepared for Baleba to sign once the two clubs settle on final terms.
The midfielder is understood to have pushed for the move privately for some time, and would slot into a Carrick midfield already featuring Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes.
United begin their Premier League campaign away to newly-promoted Hull City on Saturday, with a resolution to the Baleba saga possible before that fixture depending on how quickly the two clubs can bridge the remaining gap in valuation.