Manchester United Pursue Baleba Deal
Manchester United are reportedly nearing an agreement to sign midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton. The Cameroon international is understood to be preparing for travel to Manchester for a medical examination. A five-year contract is reportedly ready for Baleba to sign once the transfer is formally finalised.
While the final fee and its structure are still under discussion, the deal is anticipated to exceed £60m. United had previously attempted to sign Baleba last summer, but Brighton’s valuation, which was over £100m, proved to be a deterrent at the time. The price has since decreased, leading United to revisit their interest in the midfielder.
United’s initial offer for Baleba is understood to be around £60m, with an additional £5m in add-ons. This figure is reportedly below Brighton’s desired selling price, but discussions between all parties are ongoing as they work towards reaching an agreement for the player’s move to Old Trafford.
Midfield Reinforcements and Player Form
Midfield has been a key focus for United in the current transfer window. The club has already secured the services of Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48m and Youri Tielemans, who joined from Aston Villa in July for £35m. Baleba would become their third midfield addition this summer.
Baleba, who joined Brighton from Lille in 2023, has made 112 appearances for the south-coast club. Last season, he featured 35 times for Brighton, including 23 starts and eight substitute appearances in the Premier League during the 2025-26 campaign. He also missed several matches while representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
His form last season was described as underwhelming compared to his breakout season. In the 2024-25 Premier League season, he made 31 starts and three substitute appearances. The dip in form has been cited as a reason for the reduced transfer fee. Despite this, United’s interest in Baleba dates back to last autumn, with enquiries made during the January transfer window.
The midfielder is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury sustained during a pre-season training camp in Austria. The injury is not considered serious and is not expected to keep him out for an extended period. He is anticipated to be sidelined for another two to three weeks.
Strategic Fit and Future Potential
United’s pursuit of Baleba is seen as a strategic move to add a box-to-box presence to their midfield, a quality they reportedly lack despite recent arrivals. His athleticism, aggression, and ability to carry the ball through midfield are qualities that United are looking to integrate into their squad. He is also noted for his specialist defensive capabilities.
The 22-year-old’s age is also a significant factor, with a belief that he has the potential to develop into one of the world’s top midfielders. His playing style has been influenced by players such as Paul Pogba, Yaya Toure, and Andres Iniesta. United’s analysis of his metrics indicates a good fit for the squad in terms of ground coverage, possession-winning, and passing.
In addition to his midfield role, Baleba’s left-footedness could potentially offer cover at left-back. During his time at Brighton, he completed 90 minutes only three times, one of which was in a 3-0 victory over Chelsea where he performed well, contributing to a significant chance.
Brighton’s squad is scheduled to travel to Norway on Wednesday for Thursday’s Uefa Conference League play-off first-leg match against Tromso.
Source: bbc.com
