Manchester United are on the brink of finalising a transfer agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion for the acquisition of promising midfielder Carlos Baleba. The Red Devils have already prepared a five‑year contract that will be handed to the 22‑year‑old as soon as the paperwork is officially signed. While the exact transfer fee and payment schedule are still being fine‑tuned, sources suggest the overall valuation will exceed £60 million.
Baleba is reportedly preparing to travel to Manchester in the coming days, where he will undergo a medical assessment and complete the remaining formalities. Once those steps are cleared, he will be free to join the United squad and begin training under Erik ten Hag. Sky Sports has been tracking United’s pursuit of Baleba since the autumn of last year, and it first reported that the club had made an enquiry about the player during the January window.
At present, Baleba is recuperating from an ankle‑ligament injury sustained in pre‑season, but medical staff expect the setback to be short‑term and not a long‑term concern. Despite the injury, Baleba remains one of United’s primary targets for the summer window and is poised to become the third midfield signing after the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. The club hopes his arrival will add depth, competition and a different skill set to a midfield that has struggled at times for consistency and defensive solidity.
Baleba’s background: He moved to Brighton from Lille in the summer of 2023 and quickly established himself as a regular starter. Over the course of his time at the Seagulls he has amassed 112 appearances, with 35 of those coming in the most recent Premier League campaign.
He missed a portion of that season while representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, showcasing his international pedigree. From a scouting perspective, Baleba’s rise was meteoric. At 21, he was heralded as one of the Premier League’s most exciting young midfielders, attracting interest from several of Europe’s elite clubs. Manchester United identified him early as a potential game‑changer in the centre of the park, capable of providing the blend of physicality, ball‑carrying ability and tactical intelligence that the team has been lacking.
The primary obstacle to his move was Brighton’s lofty price tag, reportedly north of £100 million. That figure proved prohibitive at the time, and Baleba remained at the Amex Stadium for another season. Unfortunately, his form dipped after the initial breakout year, with his statistical output falling and his performances appearing less assured.
Critics noted that he seemed a shadow of the dynamic playmaker who had dazzled the previous campaign. Nevertheless, United’s interest persists because the club believes Baleba still possesses the attributes they need.
Their midfield currently lacks a dominant, ball‑winning presence who can operate deep, break up opposition attacks and transition quickly into attack. Baleba’s athleticism, aggression and ability to drive forward with the ball make him a rare profile that fits the Red Devils’ tactical blueprint. While Santos and Tielemans have added quality and creativity, Baleba would bring a more defensive, hard‑working dimension.
His youth – at just 22 – also means there is ample room for development. Those who have watched his growth note that he still has the potential to evolve into a world‑class midfielder if given the right environment and coaching.
Baleba himself has spoken about his footballing idols, citing Paul Pogba, Yaya Toure and Andrés Iniesta as inspirations, while also admiring the flair of Neymar and Ronaldinho. This blend of admiration for both physical dominance and technical elegance hints at a desire to combine strength with creative expression on the pitch. Signing Baleba would inevitably involve a degree of risk. United would be investing in the player he could become rather than the one he has been over the past twelve months.
However, the club’s recent transfer philosophy has shown a willingness to back young talent with high upside, and the potential reward – a midfield anchor who can grow into one of the best in his position – may outweigh the uncertainties. If the deal goes through, Baleba will join a United midfield that is already being reshaped.
His arrival could provide Erik ten Hag with a versatile option capable of playing both as a deep‑lying playmaker and as a box‑to‑box engine, helping to balance the creative duties of Santos and Tielemans with a more robust, defensive presence. The expectation is that, once fully fit, Baleba will add dynamism, steel and a competitive edge that United have been yearning for. In summary, Manchester United are on the cusp of securing Carlos Baleba from Brighton for a fee likely surpassing £60 million.
The transfer includes a pre‑signed five‑year contract, pending a medical and final agreement on payment terms. While the player has experienced a dip in form and is currently nursing a minor ankle injury, United see him as a long‑term investment – a young, athletic midfielder with the potential to become a cornerstone of their squad for years to come. Fans can stay updated on the latest developments via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel, which offers real‑time news, video highlights, in‑depth analysis and more.
The story of Baleba’s move reflects the broader narrative of United’s summer strategy: blending immediate reinforcement with forward‑looking talent acquisition to restore the club’s competitive edge in the Premier League.