Manchester United supporters could soon have another major reason to celebrate, with reports suggesting that the club is now extremely close to officially confirming the signing of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.
The highly-rated Cameroon international is reportedly at the final stage of his proposed move to Old Trafford after completing his medical and agreeing personal terms with Manchester United.
If everything proceeds as expected, only the formal announcement from the club will remain before Baleba can officially be described as a United player.
The reported agreement is understood to be worth as much as £70 million in total. United are said to have agreed to pay approximately £65 million in guaranteed payments, with another £5 million available through performance-related bonuses.
Brighton are also reportedly set to retain a percentage of any future sale, adding another element to the agreement between the two clubs.
Baleba is reportedly expected to sign a five-year contract, with Manchester United having the option to extend the deal for another year.
That long-term commitment underlines how highly the club appears to rate the 22-year-old midfielder and the role he could play in the team’s future.
His potential arrival would represent another significant step in Michael Carrick’s midfield rebuild. United have already brought in Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos this summer, and Baleba would become the third major midfield addition as the club attempts to create a stronger and more balanced unit.
What makes the deal particularly interesting is the reported reduction from Brighton’s previous valuation. The Seagulls were previously believed to have wanted around £115 million for their prized midfielder, a figure that made negotiations extremely difficult.
United now appear to have reached an agreement for considerably less, potentially representing a major piece of transfer business for the Red Devils.
Baleba has established himself as one of Brighton’s most impressive young midfielders since arriving from Lille in 2023.
He has reportedly made 112 appearances for Brighton, gaining valuable Premier League experience and developing into a physically imposing presence in the middle of the pitch.
His biggest strengths include his physical power, defensive awareness, tackling ability and capacity to carry the ball over long distances.
He can win possession, cover significant areas of the pitch and help protect the defence while also providing an outlet when United transition from defence into attack.
For Carrick, those qualities could offer much-needed balance. The midfielder’s presence could allow more creative players to focus on their attacking responsibilities while Baleba provides energy, physicality and defensive protection.
His arrival would also create greater competition for places alongside Tielemans, Santos, Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo.
That increased competition could raise standards throughout the squad and give Carrick more tactical options depending on the opposition.
Despite the excitement, supporters are still waiting for Manchester United to make the transfer official. Until the club releases its confirmation, the deal should not be treated as completely completed.
But with the medical reportedly finished, personal terms agreed and the major financial details apparently settled, everything appears to be pointing in one direction.
