Manchester United agree £70m transfer for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba
The 22-year-old becomes United's third midfield signing of the summer, with a medical expected within 24 hours.
Manchester United have agreed a £70 million deal to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, according to Sky Sports. The transfer fee is structured as £65 million guaranteed, plus £5 million in add-ons, with a sell-on clause included for Brighton.
Baleba is expected to sign a five-year contract with the club and will undergo a medical examination within the next 24 hours. The 22-year-old is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury sustained during pre-season, though an extended absence is not anticipated.
This acquisition marks United's third midfield signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. United are scheduled to open their Premier League campaign with an away match against Hull City on Saturday lunchtime.
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and has made 112 appearances for the club. He featured 35 times last season, with a period of absence while representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Sky Sports noted that United had previously enquired about signing Baleba during the January transfer window. Last summer, Brighton reportedly valued the midfielder at over £100 million, which prevented a move at that time.
Analysis suggests the signing is a speculative move for United, as Baleba's form dipped in the previous season. However, his defensive attributes and age are viewed as key assets, with the club betting on his potential to develop into one of the world's best midfielders.
