£65m gamble on Carlos Baleba fuels United’s midfield rebuild

Manchester United have sealed a £65 million agreement for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, marking the club’s third midfield acquisition of the summer as they continue rebuilding the centre of the park after a protracted pursuit and with the departure of key players leaving a clear gap.

United’s offer stands at £65 million but includes a clause that could lift the fee by an additional £5 million. The bid revives interest the club first expressed last summer, signalling a renewed commitment to secure Baleba’s services. The potential increase reflects United’s willingness to meet Brighton’s revised valuation.

Brighton valuation and price shift

Brighton had previously valued the 22‑year‑old at over £100 million and were reluctant to part with him. However, a difficult season saw his price drop, enabling United to negotiate the current deal.

United’s midfield overhaul this summer

United turned back to Baleba after missing out on two midfield targets. Mateus Fernandes moved to Tottenham from West Ham, while Elliot Anderson transferred to Manchester City from Nottingham Forest. Both departures left a noticeable void in United’s midfield planning.

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A prior attempt to sign Atalanta’s Brazil international Ederson collapsed after a medical revealed concerns, causing that deal to fall through. The setback forced United to reassess their options ahead of the summer deadline.

Baleba is currently sidelined with an ankle problem, but it is not expected to keep him out long or block the transfer. Personal terms are also reported to be straightforward. Medical scans suggest the injury will not impede his integration into the squad.

In this window United have already added Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48 million and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million. At the same time they have lost Casemiro, while Manuel Ugarte remains sidelined and Mason Mount missed the last two pre‑season friendlies. These arrivals aim to replace the influence of the departing Casemiro and bolster depth across the season.