Manchester United have bolstered their midfield options by signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton in a deal worth up to £70m. The 22-year-old Cameroon international, who has earned 16 caps for his country, joins the Old Trafford club on a five-year contract that includes an option for an additional year. The financial terms involve an initial payment of £65m, with a further £5m in potential add-ons, alongside a sell-on clause negotiated by Brighton.
The transfer follows a disappointing 2-0 loss for United in their Premier League opener against Hull City, a match that saw recent midfield signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans make their debuts. United had previously pursued Baleba near the end of last year’s summer transfer window, but their interest cooled when Brighton placed a valuation exceeding £100m on the player.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the move, Baleba described it as an “incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams.” He added that playing at Old Trafford as a United player would be a “real honour” and expressed his eagerness to work under Michael Carrick, whom he identified as the ideal coach to help him reach the highest level of the game. He noted that the club’s clear ambition and exciting future were key factors in his decision to join.
Baleba originally joined Brighton from Lille in 2023. During his time with the Seagulls, he made 112 appearances and scored four goals, including 31 Premier League outings last season as the team finished eighth to secure qualification for the Conference League. He is currently recovering from an ankle injury sustained during Brighton’s pre-season training camp in Austria.
This acquisition brings Manchester United’s total summer spending to £153m. The club is currently preparing for a return to the Champions League, marking their first appearance in the competition since the 2023-24 campaign. The report also notes that the future is hugely exciting, and I am determined to play my part in delivering the success that we are capable of together, the ambition of everyone at the club is extremely clear.
