Manchester United close to £60m+£5m deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba

Published Aug 19, 08:49 AM UTC

Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion are nearing an agreement for midfielder Carlos Baleba. United have submitted an offer of approximately £60 million plus £5 million in add-ons, though this is below Brighton's valuation. Amicable negotiations continue as the 22-year-old Cameroon international recovers from an ankle ligament injury, which is not considered serious. United have prioritized midfield reinforcements this summer, having already signed Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, while missing out on Elliot Anderson and Ederson due to injury concerns. Baleba, who joined Brighton from Lille in 2023, has made 112 appearances for the club. Analysis notes United's long-standing interest in Baleba, citing his ground coverage, possession-winning, and passing metrics, as well as his left-footedness providing potential cover at left-back. His form dipped last season partly due to United's previous pursuit and injury niggles, but he regained confidence during the Africa Cup of Nations.