Manchester United have made an offer in the region of £65m for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, with the 22-year-old Cameroon international preparing to travel to Manchester ahead of a medical.
According to Sky Sports, United are close to a full agreement with Brighton, and a five-year contract is already prepared for Baleba to sign once the deal is formally concluded. The final fee and structure are not yet fully agreed, but Sky Sports reports the transfer is expected to be worth in excess of £60m.
Personal terms sorted, fee the last hurdle
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The Telegraph’s Sam Dean, writing via AOL, reports United’s £65m opening bid is unlikely to be enough on its own to get the deal done, with Brighton having valued Baleba above £100m a year ago before an inconsistent 2025-26 campaign softened their asking price. Baleba is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury picked up in pre-season, though Sky Sports says it is not expected to keep him out for an extended period.
United’s long-standing pursuit is well documented, and personal terms were reportedly agreed with United. Sky Sports News has tracked the interest since last autumn, breaking news of a January enquiry before Baleba became a priority target again this summer.
Where he fits at Old Trafford
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and has made 112 appearances for the Seagulls, including 35 last season. He’s set to become United’s third midfield addition of the summer after Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, and Sky Sports’ analysis frames him as the specialist ball-winner and carrier the current group lacks – even if his dip in form over the past year makes this a bet on what he can become rather than what he’s been.
The context behind that need was flagged by Stretty News’ earlier coverage of United’s midfield situation and Brighton’s valuation. It remains to be seen whether £65m proves enough, but personal terms and a five-year contract are in place, while medical arrangements are to be scheduled once the deal is completed.