Manchester United are getting closer to signing a big-name midfielder this summer. They’re almost done with Brighton over the transfer of Carlos Baleba, a talented 22-year-old from Cameroon.
The Red Devils have already drafted a five-year deal for him. Once all terms are finalized, Baleba is expected to sign quickly. The total fee could go over £60 million, as both clubs iron out the details.
Baleba is ready to move to Manchester soon. He’ll get his medical tests done once everything is official, which would make him United’s third midfielder this transfer window, joining Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
Currently recovering from an ankle injury he got in pre-season, Baleba should be back in action soon after his medical check-up. He won’t miss much time due to this injury.
Brought to Brighton by Lille in 2023, Baleba has played 112 games for the Seagulls. Last season, he featured 35 times but missed some matches while playing for Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Before that, he was one of the most exciting young midfielders in the Premier League. Many top clubs were interested, including Manchester United. However, Brighton’s high valuation of over £100 million sank the deal last time.
His performance dropped after that, which makes this signing a bit risky for United. But his style fits well with what they need: strength, drive, and the ability to win the ball in midfield.
Santos and Tielemans are quality players, but Baleba brings something different—defensive power and physicality to push up the field. At 22, he still has room to grow and could become a top midfielder with the right support.
Baleba admires players like Paul Pogba and Yaya Toure, showing he wants to create and express himself on the field, not just focus on defense.
While signing him is risky since his recent form hasn’t been great, United sees potential in him. If they’re serious about building a strong midfield, this could be a good investment.