Manchester United have secured the signing of Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton in a deal valued at £70 million. The 22-year-old has committed to a five-year contract at Old Trafford, which includes an option for an additional year. The financial structure of the transfer involves an initial payment of £65 million, with a further £5 million in potential add-ons, while Brighton has also secured a sell-on clause as part of the agreement.
Baleba, who has earned 16 caps for his country, expressed his excitement regarding the move. “It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams,” he stated. “Playing at Old Trafford is always special, but the opportunity to do so as a Manchester United player will be a real honour.” He also noted his anticipation for working under manager Michael Carrick, citing his experience as a key factor in his development.
The arrival of the midfielder follows United’s recent 2-0 defeat to Hull City in their Premier League season opener, a match that saw fellow new signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans make their debuts. The club moved to bolster their squad further after previously attempting to sign Baleba last year, though negotiations stalled at the time due to Brighton’s valuation, which exceeded £100 million.
Baleba originally joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and went on to make 112 appearances for the Seagulls, scoring four goals. During the previous campaign, he featured 31 times in the Premier League, helping the team secure an eighth-place finish and qualification for the Conference League. He is currently recovering from an ankle injury sustained during Brighton’s pre-season training camp in Austria.
This transfer brings Manchester United’s total summer expenditure to £153 million. The club is currently preparing for a return to the Champions League, marking their first appearance in the competition since the 2023-24 season. The report also notes that i cannot wait to work with Michael Carrick. The report also notes that his experience and knowledge of the game make him the perfect coach to help me to reach the highest level.
