Manchester United are closing in on an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion for midfielder Carlos Baleba, with the transfer expected to cost more than £60 million.
United already have a five-year contract prepared for the 22-year-old Cameroon international, who is expected to travel to Manchester once the final details of the deal are settled. A medical is also expected to be arranged quickly after an agreement is reached.
The final transfer fee and payment structure are still being negotiated, meaning the deal has not yet been formally completed. However, talks have reportedly progressed significantly, putting Baleba closer than ever to becoming a Manchester United player.
United’s interest in Baleba is not new. The club had been monitoring the midfielder since last year and also made enquiries about a possible move during the January transfer window.
Baleba is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury suffered during pre-season. The injury is not expected to keep him sidelined for a long period, although United will be expected to assess his fitness as part of the transfer process.
The midfielder has remained one of United’s leading targets this summer and would become the club’s third midfield addition after Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. His arrival would give manager Ruben Amorim another physically strong option in the centre of the pitch.
Baleba joined Brighton from French club Lille in 2023 and has made 112 appearances for the Premier League side. He played 35 times last season, although his campaign was interrupted by his involvement with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The proposed move comes after a mixed period for Baleba. A breakthrough campaign had previously made him one of the most highly rated young midfielders in England, with United among the clubs interested in signing him. Brighton’s reported valuation of more than £100 million previously prevented a deal from happening.
His form later dipped, raising questions over whether United would be taking a significant gamble. However, his athleticism, defensive ability and strength when carrying the ball could address some of the weaknesses in United’s midfield. At 22, he also has considerable room to develop.
For United, the decision ultimately comes down to potential versus recent form. Baleba may not yet be the finished product, but if he can rediscover his best level, the Cameroon midfielder could become a major force at Old Trafford.
