Manchester United have reached an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion to sign Cameroon international midfielder Carlos Baleba, in a move that could add another prominent African presence to the Premier League giants.
A source close to Manchester United confirmed the agreement on Friday, with reports indicating that the Old Trafford club will pay an initial £65 million for the 22-year-old, with a further £5 million potentially due in performance-related add-ons. Brighton are also understood to have negotiated a sell-on clause as part of the deal.
Baleba is expected to undergo a medical before the transfer is formally completed.
The midfielder picked up an ankle ligament injury during pre-season, but reports suggest the problem should not sideline him for a prolonged period.
The Cameroon-born midfielder has emerged as one of the most highly regarded young African talents in European football.
His move to Manchester United would represent another significant step in a career that began in Africa before taking him to the top levels of the European game.
Baleba joined Brighton from French club Lille in 2023 and quickly established himself as an important part of the Premier League side.
He has made 112 appearances for Brighton and featured 31 times in the league last season.
His development has also been closely followed in Cameroon, where he has become part of the national team’s plans.
His international commitments saw him miss some club action last season while representing the Indomitable Lions at the Africa Cup of Nations.
At United, Baleba is expected to strengthen the midfield as the club prepares for another demanding campaign, including a return to the UEFA Champions League.
He would become the club’s third midfield addition of the summer following the arrivals of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, further underlining manager Michael Carrick’s plans to reshape the centre of the team.
Manchester United begin their Premier League campaign away to newly promoted Hull City on Saturday, with Baleba’s medical and the completion of his transfer now the remaining steps before he can officially begin his Old Trafford journey.
