Manchester United close to agreement for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba
Manchester United are reportedly nearing a full agreement with Brighton for the transfer of midfielder Carlos Baleba. The deal is expected to exceed £60m, with a five-year contract prepared for the Cameroon international upon formal conclusion of the transfer.
Baleba is understood to be preparing for travel to Manchester, where medical examinations are anticipated to be scheduled promptly once the agreement is finalised. This move would mark United’s third midfield addition this summer, following the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
Negotiations and Previous Interest
Discussions between Manchester United and Brighton are ongoing as both clubs work towards a final agreement for the 22-year-old midfielder. United’s initial offer is reported to be around £60m, with an additional £5m in potential add-ons. While this proposal is currently below Brighton’s valuation, negotiations are described as positive.
United had previously shown interest in Baleba near the transfer deadline last summer but were deterred by Brighton’s valuation, which was then in excess of £100m. The price has since significantly reduced. After an unsuccessful pursuit of Matheus Fernandes earlier this summer, United revisited their interest in Baleba.
The club has already secured Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48m and Youri Tielemans, who joined from Aston Villa in July for £35m. These additions highlight United’s focus on strengthening their midfield during the current transfer window.
Player Performance and Injury Status
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and has since made 112 appearances across all competitions for the club. Last season, he featured 35 times for Brighton, picking up seven yellow cards as a defensive midfielder. His availability was temporarily affected by his participation with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
However, his form saw a dip last season compared to his breakout year. He made 23 starts and eight substitute appearances in the Premier League in 2025-26, a decrease from 31 starts and three substitute appearances in 2024-25. This change in form occurred during a campaign where Brighton secured European football for only the second time in their history.
Baleba is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury sustained during a pre-season training camp in Austria. He is expected to be sidelined for another two to three weeks. Despite this, the injury is not anticipated to keep him out for an extended period. Mason Mount, another United midfielder, has also been dealing with a foot problem since August 8, suffered against Paris St-Germain in Gothenburg.
Strategic Fit for Manchester United
The potential acquisition of Baleba is seen as a strategic move for Manchester United. He is described as a box-to-box player, a type of midfielder United currently lacks despite the recent arrivals of Santos and Tielemans. Baleba’s athleticism, aggression, and ability to carry the ball through midfield could add dynamism and steel to United’s midfield.
His age, at 22, is also a significant factor, with belief that he has the potential to develop into one of the world’s top midfielders. If the transfer proceeds, Baleba would compete for first-team places alongside Tielemans, Santos, Kobbie Mainoo, and Bruno Fernandes in Michael Carrick’s squad. United are keen to integrate the Cameroonian midfielder into the squad swiftly as pre-season concludes and competitive fixtures approach.
There is a recognized risk associated with the transfer, as United would be investing in Baleba’s future potential rather than solely his recent performance. However, his profile as a specialist defensive midfielder with the ability to drive play forward aligns with United’s midfield requirements. All parties involved remain confident that an agreement will be reached, paving the way for Baleba’s move to Old Trafford.
Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton squad is scheduled to fly to Norway on Wednesday for Thursday’s Uefa Conference League play-off first-leg match with Tromso.
Source: bbc.com
