Manchester United are closing in on a full agreement with Brighton to sign Cameroon international Carlos Baleba, with a five-year contract already prepared for the 22-year-old to sign once the deal is formally completed. While the final fee and structure are still being finalised, the transfer is expected to be worth in excess of £60 million.
Where Things Stand
Baleba is understood to be preparing to travel to Manchester, with medical arrangements set to be scheduled quickly once the agreement is concluded. Sky Sports News has been tracking United’s interest in Baleba since last autumn, having first reported the club made enquiries about signing him during the January transfer window.
The midfielder is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury picked up during pre-season, though it isn’t expected to keep him sidelined for an extended period. His arrival would make him United’s third midfield addition of the summer, following the signings of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
Baleba’s Brighton Career
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and has gone on to make 112 appearances for the club, including 35 last season, with a spell away representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations during that campaign.
Analysis: Gamble or Game-Changer?
Sky Sports’ William Bitibiri notes that this time last year, Baleba looked destined for a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs after a breakout campaign established him as one of the Premier League’s most sought-after young midfielders with United among the admirers even then. Brighton’s reported valuation of more than £100 million proved too high a barrier at the time, and the move never materialised, with Baleba’s form subsequently dipping noticeably through an inconsistent follow-up season.
That dip is part of what makes this deal a calculated risk for United, according to Bitibiri, but stylistically few midfielders on the market suit United’s specific needs quite as well. United have been searching for greater control and ball-winning presence in central midfield, and Baleba’s athleticism, aggression and ability to carry the ball forward offer exactly that kind of dynamism. While Santos and Tielemans have both been shrewd additions in their own right, Baleba brings a different profile entirely specialist defensive power paired with the physical tools to drive United up the pitch.
Bitibiri also points to Baleba’s age as a key factor in the gamble being worthwhile at just 22, and despite a difficult season, there remains genuine belief he can develop into one of the best midfielders in the world. That ambition is reflected in the players Baleba has cited as influences, including Paul Pogba, Yaya Toure and Andres Iniesta, along with an admiration for the flair of Neymar and Ronaldinho suggesting a player who wants his game defined by more than just physical qualities alone. Ultimately, the view is that United are betting on the player Baleba can still become rather than simply the version seen over the past year, but it’s exactly the kind of calculated risk a club looking to build a genuinely top-class midfield should be willing to take.
Quick Facts: Baleba to Man Utd
- Expected fee: £60m+
- Contract: Five years, ready to sign
- Brighton career: 112 appearances since 2023 (from Lille)
- Current injury: Ankle ligament (short-term)
- Would be United’s: Third midfield signing this summer (after Santos, Tielemans)
