Manchester United are reportedly nearing an agreement worth £65million to bring Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba to Old Trafford.
Negotiations over the 22-year-old Cameroon international have restarted in recent weeks after medical concerns eased surrounding the ankle ligament injury he sustained in a pre-season friendly against Strasbourg in early August.
Baleba is expected to regain full fitness by the end of September and is believed to be ready to sign a five-year contract with United, which would keep him at the club until 2031.
Manchester United have monitored Baleba for around a year, having been impressed by his energetic displays for Brighton. The midfielder was previously valued at approximately £75m.
Although his performances dipped during the second half of last season, United remain convinced that his age and long-term potential make him a worthwhile investment.
Baleba has also attracted interest from Newcastle United in recent weeks.
Negotiations resumed after Manchester United received encouraging news about the ankle ligament injury Baleba suffered during a pre-season friendly in early August.
United are planning a major midfield rebuild and have already signed Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35m and Andrey Santo from Chelsea for £50m.
Brighton signed Baleba from Lille for just £23m in 2023, and he quickly emerged as one of the Premier League’s most promising young midfielders.
His power, energy and ability to play through an opponent’s press made him an important part of Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton team before Fabian Hurzeler succeeded him in 2024.
United also explored a move for Baleba last summer, but Brighton held firm and demanded more than £100m for the midfielder.
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom revealed in October that United had shown an interest but were told the player would not be sold at that stage.
“There was interest from Manchester United, and we said that he wasn’t available this summer and they went away,” Bloom said. “His improvement has been immense. He’s a massively important player to this football club, and we’re just delighted that he’s with us for this season.”
Hurzeler later acknowledged that the intense speculation linking Baleba with a move to Old Trafford had affected the midfielder.
“I think it’s normal for a young player when the media creates the noise around him,” the Brighton manager said. “It’s not easy for this player to handle it.
“Therefore, we need to give him the time and support so he comes back to his best performance.
“But he’s a young player and I think that’s something we have to accept, that young players don’t always have the face we want to see.”
Before Tielemans and Santos arrived, 21-year-old Kobbie Mainoo was the only established senior central midfielder in United’s squad.
Manuel Ugarte, whom United had been willing to sell, suffered a serious knee injury while representing Uruguay at the World Cup and is now expected to remain at the club until his return in 2027.
United began reshaping their midfield this summer after influential former captain Casemiro left for MLS side Inter Miami. Ugarte was also considered surplus to requirements before his injury during the World Cup, meaning he will stay with the club while he works towards an expected return at the beginning of next year.
With plans to invest around £150 million in three central midfielders, they have already completed two major signings in Youri Tielemans, 29, from Aston Villa in a £35m deal, and Andrey Santos, 22, from Chelsea for £50m.
Prior to Tielemans and Santos’ arrival, 21-year-old Kobbie Mainoo was the only established senior central midfielder in the squad.
Daily Mail Sport reported in May that United had earmarked around £80 for a marquee signing to replace the Brazilian, and they saw their No 1 target Elliot Anderson head to Manchester City for a record £116m deal. United also agreed terms with Atlanta for Brazil star Ederson but backed out due to concerns over his knee.
Although Michael Carrick has been talking up the importance of giving United’s academy players more opportunities, while Tyler Fletcher and Toby Collyer have seen significant game time during pre-season.
