Manchester United sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton for up to £70m

Manchester United sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton for up to £70m

Manchester United have completed the signing of Cameroon international midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton, ending a transfer saga that spanned nearly 12 months. The 22-year-old joins Old Trafford in a deal worth up to £70m, consisting of a £65m guaranteed fee and £5m in add-ons. According to footballtransfers.com, the two clubs agreed a package believed to be in the region of €82m.

Baleba has committed to a five-year contract with the option of an additional year. He becomes the third midfield addition for the club this summer, following the arrivals of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.

The move follows a period of prolonged interest from Manchester United, who had been tracking the player since last autumn and made enquiries during the January transfer window. A deal failed to materialize a year ago when Brighton's reported valuation of more than £100m, or over €100 million, proved to be a stumbling block. Footballtransfers.com reported that Baleba had agreed personal terms at the time and was so desperate for the move that it impacted his performances.

Following a breakout season that established him as a highly coveted young talent, Baleba's form dipped during the previous campaign. He was absent for a period while representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations and featured 35 times last season. Despite this inconsistency, United view the signing as a way to add authority, aggression, and defensive power to a midfield that struggled in an opening-day loss to Hull.

The transfer was briefly in doubt this summer after Baleba suffered a pre-season ankle injury. While some reports suggested Manchester United might step aside to allow another club, such as Newcastle, to sign the player, the club moved quickly once it became clear the injury was not as serious as first feared.

Baleba is currently sidelined but is expected to return by mid-September. This timeline puts his availability in question for the match against Manchester City on September 13.

"It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams. Playing at Old Trafford is always special but the opportunity to do so as a Manchester United player will be a real honour,"

Carlos Baleba, via club website

Baleba also expressed his eagerness to work under coach Michael Carrick, stating that Carrick's knowledge of the game makes him the perfect coach to help him reach the highest level.

Club legend Wayne Rooney praised the acquisition on Stick to United, stating that the team needs a player with physicality who covers ground well and is aggressive. Rooney dismissed claims that Baleba went missing last season, asserting that he is a top player who will improve the team massively and provide necessary competition for places alongside Mainoo, Santos, and Tielemans.

In a social media post, Baleba bid farewell to Brighton, where he had made 112 appearances after joining from Lille in 2023. He noted that the club asked him to be myself and thanked the staff and teammates who supported him after he arrived at 19 with limited English.

The signing is viewed as a gamble on Baleba's potential to become one of the world's best midfielders. He has previously cited Paul Pogba, Yaya Toure, and Andres Iniesta as influences, and listed Neymar and Ronaldinho as his favorite players to watch.

Manchester United are now expected to turn their attention to Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde as the summer window enters its final stretch.