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Manchester United have moved significantly closer to completing their summer rebuild after striking an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion for Carlos Baleba. The highly rated midfielder is now expected to travel for a medical as Michael Carrick looks to strengthen the centre of his side following a series of major departures and injuries.

Red Devils secure top midfield target

According to The Athletic, Manchester United have finalised a deal for Brighton star Baleba, with the overall package for the Cameroon international set to rise to £70 million. The two Premier League clubs made a decisive breakthrough in negotiations after weeks of speculation over the 22-year-old's future, with United agreeing to pay a guaranteed £65m fee plus £5m in add-ons. The midfielder is expected to travel tonight before a scheduled medical on Saturday.

Manchester United remain active in the summer transfer window as they get ready for their return to the Champions League. The Red Devils have already added to Carrick's squad by signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea, Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, and goalkeeper Karl Darlow from Leeds United.

Addressing a midfield crisis

The move for Baleba comes at a crucial time for United, whose central midfield options have been reduced by summer exits and important injuries. With Casemiro leaving on a free transfer and Manuel Ugarte ruled out with a ligament injury suffered at the World Cup, strengthening the middle of the park became a leading priority for the club's recruitment staff.

Despite the excitement around his arrival, Baleba is still working his way back to full fitness after a pre-season setback. The Cameroon international is currently out with an ankle ligament injury picked up during the summer break, which kept him out of Brighton's goalless draw against Tromso in the first leg of their Conference League qualifier on Thursday.

Data-led pursuit brings reward

United's interest in the former Lille midfielder is not a recent development, with the club's recruitment department having tracked his progress closely for several seasons. Scouts from Old Trafford watched Baleba extensively throughout the 2025-26 campaign, after already looking into a possible move for the Cameroonian last summer.

Baleba's rise into the top level of English football has been rapid since his arrival from Ligue 1. After joining Brighton from Lille in the summer of 2023, the midfielder made 112 appearances for the Seagulls, although he was restricted to 23 Premier League starts last season.

Brighton's summer departures continue

Baleba is set to become the latest major exit from Brighton this summer, following the departures of Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham Hotspur, Danny Welbeck to Chelsea, and Diego Coppola to Paris FC.

Brighton begin their new Premier League campaign by hosting Aston Villa on Sunday, while Manchester United travel to take on newly promoted Hull City tomorrow, Saturday.