Manchester United are on the verge of sealing a full transfer agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion for the highly rated midfielder Carlos Baleba. The Red Devils have already prepared a five‑year contract that will be handed to the player as soon as the paperwork is signed, meaning the legal formalities are essentially in place. While the exact transfer fee and the precise payment structure have yet to be hammered out, all indications point to a total outlay that will exceed £60 million, a figure that reflects Baleba's standing as one of the most promising young talents in the Premier League. The 22‑year‑old French‑Cameroonian international is reportedly preparing to travel to Manchester in the coming days, where he will undergo a medical examination and complete the remaining administrative steps.
The medical is expected to be scheduled quickly, allowing United to finalize the deal without further delay. Sky Sports has been following United's pursuit of Baleba since the autumn of last year, and the outlet first broke the story that the club had made an enquiry about the midfielder during the January transfer window. At the moment Baleba is recovering from an ankle‑ligament injury sustained in pre‑season training, but medical staff at both clubs are confident that the problem is not serious enough to keep him sidelined for any significant period. Baleba has remained a top priority for United throughout the summer window, and his arrival would mark the third midfield signing for the club this season, joining recent acquisitions Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
Both of those players have added depth and creativity, but United are still looking for a more defensively disciplined, ball‑winning presence in the middle of the park – a role that Baleba is believed to fill perfectly. A quick look at Baleba's career shows why he has attracted so much attention.
He arrived at Brighton from Lille in the summer of 2023 and quickly established himself as a regular starter, making 112 appearances for the Seagulls across all competitions. In the 2022‑23 campaign he featured in 35 league matches, missing a short spell when he was called up by Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations.
His performances that season earned him plaudits for his ability to drive forward with the ball, break lines with incisive passes and, crucially, win duels in midfield. The analysis from Sky Sports' William Bitibiri provides valuable context. A year ago, Baleba seemed destined for a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs after a breakout season that saw him labelled as one of the Premier League’s most coveted young midfielders. Manchester United were among the suitors, viewing him as a potential game‑changer.
However, Brighton’s valuation – reported to be in excess of £100 million – proved a stumbling block, and the transfer never materialised, leaving Baleba at the Amex Stadium. Since then, Baleba’s form has been inconsistent.
His statistical output has dipped, and at times he has appeared a shadow of the dynamic player who thrilled fans the previous season. This dip in performance introduces an element of risk for United, who would be betting on his potential rather than his recent track record. Yet, from a tactical standpoint, there are few players who match his blend of athleticism, aggression, and ball‑carrying ability. United’s midfield currently lacks a player who can dominate the deeper zones, win the ball back efficiently, and then transition quickly into attack.
Baleba’s skill set aligns with those needs: he possesses the physicality to compete in duels, the stamina to cover large areas of the pitch, and the technical ability to drive the ball forward with purpose. While Santos and Tielemans have added creativity and composure, Baleba would bring a specialist defensive edge combined with the dynamism required to push United up the field. Age is another compelling factor. At only 22, Baleba still has considerable room for growth.
Even though his latest season has been uneven, many scouts believe that with the right coaching environment he could develop into one of the world’s top midfielders. He has openly cited inspirations such as Paul Pogba, Yaya Toure and Andrés Iniesta, and even mentions watching legends like Neymar and Ronaldinho for enjoyment, indicating a desire to blend physical dominance with creative flair.
Signing Baleba would therefore be a calculated gamble: United would be investing in the player he could become rather than the one he has been over the past twelve months. The gamble is justified by the strategic need for a more robust midfield anchor and by the long‑term upside of nurturing a player who could become a cornerstone of the squad for years to come. If United are willing to take that risk, Baleba represents a rare opportunity to acquire a young, versatile midfielder with a high ceiling at a price that, while substantial, is still below the £100 million mark that previously blocked the move. The club’s willingness to move quickly – with a pre‑signed contract and a swift medical appointment – suggests that they are eager to secure his services before other suitors intervene.
In summary, Manchester United are poised to complete a deal that could reshape their midfield dynamics. The transfer, pending final fee agreement, is expected to exceed £60 million and will see the 22‑year‑old Baleba sign a five‑year contract and head to Manchester for a medical.
While his recent form has been patchy, his age, physical profile, and potential to develop into a world‑class midfielder make him an attractive, albeit slightly risky, addition. Should the deal go through, United will have added a player who can provide defensive solidity, ball progression, and the long‑term upside needed to compete at the highest level in England and Europe.