Manchester United are on the verge of landing the central midfielder they have coveted for over a year. After a prolonged pursuit that had twice stalled at Brighton’s asking price, the Red Devils are now closing in on a deal to sign Cameroon international Carlos Baleba — and this time, it looks like it will go all the way.
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How Close Is the Deal?
Manchester United are close to a full agreement with Brighton to sign Carlos Baleba, with the 22-year-old understood to be preparing to travel to Manchester ahead of a medical. A five-year contract is ready for the Cameroon international to sign once the deal is formally concluded.
The final fee and structure are not yet fully agreed, but the deal is expected to be worth in excess of £60m.
The target is Carlos Baleba, for whom Brighton have received an initial offer of £60 million plus £5 million in add-ons.
Amicable talks continue with all parties working towards finding an agreement for the Cameroon international to move to Old Trafford.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba |
| Age | 22 (born 3 January 2004) |
| Nationality | Cameroonian (also holds French citizenship) |
| From | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| To | Manchester United |
| Fee | ~£60m + £5m add-ons |
| Contract Offered | 5 years |
| Brighton Contract | Until June 2028 (+ 1-year option) |
| Position | Central / Defensive Midfielder |
| Shirt Number at Brighton | 17 |
| Market Value | €55m |
A Two-Year Pursuit — Finally Paying Off
This transfer has been a long time coming. The 22-year-old Cameroon international was hotly tipped to make a move to Old Trafford last summer. Contact was reportedly made only for Brighton to set a price tag in excess of £100 million for a player tied to a contract which extends until 2028. United were forced to back down.
Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba accepted that constant links to Manchester United have created “a lot of pressure,” which coincided with some underwhelming performances.
United ultimately diverted the resources they had available last summer towards a new frontline, spending around £200 million on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Šeško. Yet the need for a new central midfielder still very much existed.
Liverpool were viewed as United’s strongest rivals for Baleba’s signature. Manchester City and Tottenham had also been monitoring Baleba’s progress. In the end, it is United who have made the decisive move.
Brighton’s Previous Stance — And Why It Has Changed
Baleba joined Brighton on 29 August 2023, with his contract currently expiring on 30 June 2028, with an option for a further year.
Brighton’s position had been one of firm resistance for months. Brighton were keen to keep hold of Baleba and warned United it would take a fee around the £115 million Chelsea paid to sign Moisés Caicedo to get a deal for Baleba over the line.
With Baleba now entering the final two years of his deal and reportedly pushing for the move himself, Brighton’s resolve has clearly softened — and United have swooped at a fee far below that initial £115m demand.
Who Is Carlos Baleba?
Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba was born on 3 January 2004 in Douala, Cameroon, and plays as a central or defensive midfielder for Brighton & Hove Albion. Baleba holds both Cameroonian and French citizenship from his parents. His father is a former professional footballer who played in South Africa and Cameroon.
Baleba’s career has included time at Lille and Lille B before he made the move to England. He joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and has made 112 appearances for the club.
His key attributes per WhoScored include ball interception (very strong), dribbling (strong), and aerial duels (strong), with no significant weaknesses identified.
Player Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba |
| Date of Birth | 3 January 2004 |
| Place of Birth | Douala, Cameroon |
| Height | 179 cm (5 ft 10 in) |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Position | Central / Defensive Midfielder |
| Youth Club | EF Brasseries du Cameroun (2017–2022) |
| Citizenship | Cameroonian & French |
| Brighton Appearances | 112 |
Career Timeline
| Period | Club | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2017–2022 | EF Brasseries du Cameroun | Youth |
| 2022–2023 | Lille B | Senior debut |
| 2022–2023 | Lille | Ligue 1 |
| 2023–2026 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 112 appearances |
| 2026– | Manchester United | Pending medical |
Baleba at Brighton — Season by Season
| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Premier League | 32 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | Premier League | 35 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025-26 | Premier League | 31+ | 0 | 0 |
| Total | All comps | 112 | 2 | 2 |
He featured 35 times last season and was absent for a spell while representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Injury Factor
The 22-year-old is currently working his way back to fitness after an ankle ligament injury, but the issue is not considered serious or expected to keep him out long-term. Baleba will have to make up for lost time when he returns from the ankle injury in early September.
This is unlikely to derail the transfer, with United fully aware of the situation and pressing ahead regardless.
Why Baleba — The Midfield Case
United had been looking at a new central midfielder after bolstering their forward line through the additions of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško.
United’s midfield has faced scrutiny throughout Michael Carrick’s tenure, and Baleba’s combination of physicality, press resistance, and ball-winning ability makes him an ideal fit for the engine room at Old Trafford. If the 2024/25 season was not a flash in the pan, United will have executed an excellent midfield rebuild.
Manchester United’s Summer 2026 Window
| Player | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bryan Mbeumo | Winger | Signed (2025) |
| Matheus Cunha | Forward | Signed (2025) |
| Benjamin Šeško | Striker | Signed (2025) |
| Carlos Baleba | Midfielder | Pending — £60m+ |
Read More: Tottenham Working on £140m Double Deal to Sign Savinho & Omar Marmoush from Manchester City
FAQs
How much is Manchester United paying for Carlos Baleba?
Brighton have received an initial offer of £60 million plus £5 million in add-ons from Manchester United. The final fee and structure are still being finalised, but the overall package is expected to exceed £60m, a significant reduction from Brighton’s initial £115m valuation.
What position does Carlos Baleba play?
Baleba plays as a central or defensive midfielder. His key strengths include ball interception, dribbling, and aerial duels — making him ideally suited to the holding midfield role United have been looking to fill for over a year.
How many appearances has Baleba made for Brighton?
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and has made 112 appearances for the club. He has been a consistent starter at the Amex since his arrival, missing a significant spell only for international duty with Cameroon.
Is Carlos Baleba injured?
The 22-year-old is currently working his way back to fitness after an ankle ligament injury, but the issue is not considered serious or expected to keep him out long-term. He is expected to return from the ankle injury in early September.
How long is the contract Manchester United have offered Baleba?
The deal is expected to be worth in excess of £60m, with a five-year contract already ready for the Cameroon international to sign once the deal is formally concluded.
