Manchester United are moving closer to completing the signing of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, with talks between the two clubs approaching a full agreement.
United already have a five year contract prepared for the Cameroon international, which Baleba is expected to sign once the transfer is formally completed. The clubs are still finalising the precise fee and payment structure, although the total value of the deal is expected to exceed £60m.
The 22 year old is understood to be preparing for a trip to Manchester. Plans for his medical are also expected to be arranged quickly once the remaining details of the agreement are settled.
United’s interest in Baleba is not new. The club have followed the midfielder for an extended period and made an enquiry about his availability during the January transfer window after identifying him as an important target for their midfield rebuild.
Baleba set to become another major midfield addition
Baleba is currently working his way back from an ankle ligament problem suffered during preseason. The injury is not believed to be serious enough to keep him unavailable for a long period.
Despite the setback, the Cameroon international has remained high on Manchester United’s recruitment list throughout the summer.
If the move is completed, Baleba would become United’s third midfield signing of the window following the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
The move would give United another player capable of competing for an important role in the centre of the pitch as the club continues reshaping the squad.
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and has since accumulated 112 appearances for the club. He played 35 times last season, although part of his campaign was interrupted by his involvement with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
His time at Brighton has already included periods in which he has been regarded as one of the most promising young midfielders in the Premier League.
United are betting on Baleba rediscovering his best level
Baleba’s situation looks noticeably different from where it stood 12 months ago.
After an impressive breakthrough campaign with Brighton, he established himself as one of the most highly rated young midfielders in England. At the age of 21, he was already being linked with several leading European clubs, and Manchester United were among the teams monitoring his development.
United viewed him as a player capable of changing the balance of their midfield through his physical qualities, defensive work and ability to progress the ball.
At that stage, Brighton were reportedly demanding more than £100m for the midfielder. That valuation prevented a deal from developing further, and Baleba remained at the Amex.
His performances then became less consistent. His statistical output declined and he struggled at times to reproduce the level that had made him such an attractive prospect during the previous campaign.
That drop in form adds an element of risk to Manchester United’s decision to invest heavily in him now.
Baleba could provide the midfield profile United lack
Despite concerns over his recent performances, Baleba remains an appealing option because his characteristics fit several areas Manchester United are trying to strengthen.
United need more presence and control in central midfield, particularly when trying to regain possession in deeper areas of the pitch.
Baleba has the physical strength and mobility to perform that role. He is aggressive when competing for possession and is also comfortable carrying the ball forward after winning it.
His ability to cover ground could give United greater intensity in midfield, while his strength in defensive situations would offer a different profile from some of the club’s other options.
Santos and Tielemans have already strengthened the department, but Baleba could complement them rather than simply provide another version of the same type of midfielder.
The Cameroon international is particularly valuable for his capacity to combine defensive responsibility with forward movement. He can break up opposition attacks before using his athleticism to move possession into more advanced positions.
Age remains an important part of United’s thinking
Baleba is still only 22, which means Manchester United would be investing as much in his potential development as in his current level.
His inconsistent form over the previous season has not erased the belief that he could eventually establish himself among the leading midfielders in European football.
Baleba has previously spoken about the players who influenced him while developing his own style. Paul Pogba, Yaya Toure and Andres Iniesta are among the midfielders he has admired, while Neymar and Ronaldinho were also players he enjoyed watching.
Those influences reflect a side of his game that goes beyond strength and defensive work. Baleba also likes to carry possession, express himself technically and influence attacks rather than operating solely as a ball winning midfielder.
That combination is one of the reasons he remains such an interesting prospect despite the uneven nature of his most recent season.
United accept the risk attached to the transfer
A move worth more than £60m would still represent a major commitment from Manchester United.
The club would not simply be paying for what Baleba produced during the previous campaign. They would be backing the player who impressed so strongly before his form declined and trusting that his best football is still ahead of him.
There are no guarantees that he will immediately return to that level. His recent inconsistency and current recovery from an ankle injury give United several factors to consider.
At the same time, midfielders with his combination of age, physical power, defensive ability and ball carrying quality are difficult to find.
For United, the attraction is that Baleba could develop alongside their other midfield additions and eventually become a central figure in the team.
With negotiations now close to completion and a contract already prepared, the next stage is expected to depend on the final agreement between Manchester United and Brighton before Baleba travels for his medical.
