£70m gamble: Manchester United move for Brighton midfielder Baleba

Manchester United (MB Media/Getty) have agreed a £70 million deal to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, with £65 million payable up front and a further £5 million in add‑ons, according to reports. The Cameroon international will travel to Manchester for a medical on Saturday, moving the transfer toward completion before the window closes.

TalkSPORT reported United will pay £65 million immediately for Baleba, with an additional £5 million contingent on performance. United stepped up negotiations with Brighton earlier this week, aiming to finalise the deal before the transfer window ends. The total fee of £70 million reflects the £65 million upfront payment plus the £5 million in add‑ons.

Midfield depth drives United's pursuit

United have already bolstered their midfield this summer by signing Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. The arrivals signal a clear intent to expand creative options, prompting the club to target Baleba as an additional asset. Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos joined United earlier in the summer.

Baleba has been granted permission to travel to Manchester for a medical examination on Saturday, confirming his readiness to join the squad pending a health check. The Cameroon international is set to complete his medical on Saturday. Baleba is a Cameroon international.

Medical status and return timeline

Baleba missed Brighton’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa while recovering from an ankle ligament injury. He is expected to regain full fitness towards the end of September. He was set to miss Brighton’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Michael Carrick’s side will begin their Premier League campaign with an early‑kick‑off trip to newly promoted Hull City on Saturday, meaning Baleba’s integration will follow the opening match. United’s first match will be against Hull City, a newly promoted side.

Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Add Metro as a Preferred Source. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on the transfer. The story was published with a photo credit to MB Media/Getty.