Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba for an initial fee of £65m, with the player expected to undergo a medical in Manchester this weekend.
Should the 22-year-old complete the move, he will become the third midfielder recruited for Michael Carrick’s squad during this transfer window. Baleba, who operates as a No 6, will join No 8 Youri Tielemans and fellow defensive midfielder Andrey Santos.
Even without the potential £5m in additional payments, Baleba would be United’s costliest signing of the summer. Tielemans arrived for £35m, while Santos cost an initial £48m with up to £2m in bonuses. The Baleba transfer would increase United’s overall spending to £148m.
United are privately pleased with the agreement after missing out on the Cameroon international last summer. Brighton previously valued him at close to the £115m fee they received from Chelsea for Moisés Caicedo in 2023, but Carrick is now set to secure the midfield presence he wanted in a deal considered beneficial both financially and on the field.
Before the agreement was finalised, Carrick stressed that an effective midfield provides the team with a dependable base. He explained that this foundation is crucial for maintaining consistency throughout individual matches and over an extended run of games.
Carrick added that teams need strength and balance through the centre of the pitch, noting that the finest sides of previous years have traditionally been built around a powerful spine.
He also said the club is aware of that requirement and believes the current squad already has a strong central core. Carrick feels further progress can be achieved through coaching, player development and continued improvements in different areas.
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