Carrick confirms United push to sign Baleba in £65m deal before September deadline

Manchester United have tabled a bid of approximately £60 million, plus £5 million in add-ons, for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, with manager Michael Carrick confirming on Thursday that the club are pushing to finish the window strongly before the September 1 deadline.

Carrick, speaking to media at Carrington, declined to address the Baleba talks directly but left little doubt about the club’s ambitions. “We’re certainly working towards that, making the most of the situation that we have and trying to improve things and trying to move forward,” he said. “Certainly trying to make the most of the opportunities to finish the window stronger than we went into it. And I think we’re in a good way to doing that so far.”

Baleba is understood to be keen on the move, and there is a growing expectation within the club that the Cameroon international will become United’s third midfield signing of the summer. However, some work remains to finalise an agreement with Brighton, and the 21-year-old is currently sidelined with an ankle injury that is not thought to be serious but is expected to keep him out for a few more weeks — meaning he would not be immediately available if a deal is concluded.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler suggested last season that transfer speculation had affected Baleba’s performances, but United’s recruitment team have not been deterred by his form in 2025/26 and have reignited their pursuit this summer.

Carrick was also asked whether United could mount a Premier League title challenge in the season ahead. He stopped well short of ruling it out. “I would never say we can’t, by the way — I don’t believe that,” he said, while acknowledging it would represent a significant step up.

United open their Premier League campaign against newly promoted Hull City, who have signed 11 players since earning promotion. Carrick acknowledged the challenge that freshness can pose. “There’s that buzz around the football club of coming into the Premier League and what that brings,” he said. “We’ll be prepared, mentally and physically. We know what the game’s going to bring and how good we need to be to get the right result.”