Manchester United have reached an agreement with Brighton to sign midfielder Carlos Baleba in a deal worth £70 million, according to talkSPORT. The Cameroon international has been given permission to travel to Manchester for a medical on Saturday.
Transfer details and add-ons
The agreement will see United pay £65 million upfront for Baleba, with a further £5 million in add-ons. The 22-year-old has been a key target for United as they look to bolster their midfield options before the transfer window closes.
United have already strengthened their midfield this summer with the arrivals of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. However, the club stepped up talks with Brighton earlier this week to secure Baleba's signature before the deadline.
Injury status and return timeline
Baleba was already set to miss Brighton's Premier League opener against Aston Villa on Sunday as he continues to recover from an ankle ligament injury. The midfielder is expected to return to full fitness towards the end of September.
His move to Old Trafford comes as United prepare for their own Premier League campaign, with Michael Carrick's team set to face newly promoted Hull City in Saturday's early kick-off.
Context and impact
The signing would represent a significant investment in United's midfield, adding depth and youth to a position that has seen multiple changes this summer. Baleba's arrival could provide competition for places alongside Tielemans and Santos.
Brighton, meanwhile, will lose a key player but have already shown a capacity to reinvest in young talent. The deal, if completed, would mark one of the major transfers of the summer window.
