Manchester United agree £70m deal to sign Brighton's Carlos Baleba as third midfield addition

Manchester United have agreed a £70m deal to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton, with the 22-year-old set to become the club’s third midfield signing of the summer transfer window.

United’s opening bid of £60m plus £5m in add-ons was rejected earlier this week, but an improved offer of £65m plus £5m in add-ons has now been accepted. Baleba is in line to sign a five-year contract at Old Trafford.

The fee represents a significant reduction on the valuation Brighton placed on the Cameroonian last summer, when they were holding out for in excess of £100m. United’s persistence over 12 months has paid off at a considerably lower cost.

The deal does come with an immediate complication. Baleba recently suffered an ankle ligament injury and, while the issue is not considered serious, he will not be available to play straight away after completing his move.

The signing is part of a broader midfield overhaul at Old Trafford following Casemiro’s departure on a free transfer. Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury, sustained at the World Cup, accelerated the need for further reinforcements in the engine room.

United had already spent £85m this summer before agreeing the Baleba deal — bringing in back-up goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer, Andrey Santos for £50m, and Youri Tielemans for £35m. Once the Baleba transfer is finalised, the club’s summer outlay will reach £155m.

With the Premier League transfer window closing on 1 September, United are also expected to pursue a left-back before the deadline.