Man United agrees £70m deal for Carlos Baleba as player heads for medical
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Brighton for Carlos Baleba, with the Cameroon international due to undergo a medical before completing his move to Old Trafford.
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion to sign Carlos Baleba for an initial £65 million, with the total package potentially rising to £70 million through add-ons, bringing the long-running pursuit of the Cameroon international close to completion.
Baleba is expected to travel to Manchester on Friday night before undergoing his medical on Saturday, with a formal move set to follow if he passes the required checks.
The 22-year-old midfielder has been a long-term target for United, who maintained their interest despite his inconsistent 2025-26 campaign and a recent ankle ligament injury sustained during pre-season.
Reports earlier this week indicated that United had offered around £60 million plus £5 million in potential bonuses, but Brighton were initially reluctant to accept the proposal before negotiations eventually produced an agreement.
The deal is also understood to include a sell-on clause, giving Brighton a future financial interest in the midfielder.
Baleba’s arrival would address another important area for United manager Michael Carrick, particularly after Casemiro left the club and Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious ligament injury.
United have already strengthened their midfield this summer with the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, but Baleba offers a different profile, combining physical strength, mobility, ball-winning ability and the capacity to carry possession through midfield.
His move also represents a significant change from Brighton’s previous valuation, with the Seagulls having demanded more than £100 million for him during earlier negotiations.
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 for a reported fee of around £23 million and has since made 112 appearances for the club, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most promising young midfielders.
His latest move is expected to take him to Old Trafford on a long-term contract, although his ankle problem means he is unlikely to make an immediate competitive debut.
Manchester United begin their Premier League campaign against Hull City on Saturday, meaning Baleba’s medical and transfer formalities will take place against the backdrop of the club’s opening fixture.
