Man Utd close on deal for Brighton's Baleba

Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba in action against Manchester United on the final day of last season

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Carlos Baleba has been one of Brighton's top performers in recent years, making 35 appearances last season

BySimon StoneChief football news reporter

Published1 hour ago

Manchester United are closing in on a deal to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.

United attempted to sign the Cameroon international near deadline day last summer but were put off by Brighton's valuation, which was in excess of £100m.

However, the price has reduced significantly and after failing in their pursuit of Matheus Fernandes earlier this summer, United have decided to revisit Baleba.

Their initial £60m offer is below Brighton's valuation, but talks are continuing.

The Red Devils have already signed midfielders Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48m and Youri Tielemans, who joined from Aston Villa in July for £35m.

Mason Mount did excel alongside Santos in the first three games of pre-season, but he has been struggling to overcome a foot problem he suffered against Paris St-Germain in Gothenburg on 8 August.

Baleba is expected to be out for another two to three weeks after suffering an ankle injury during a pre-season training camp in Austria.

Fabian Hurzeler's Brighton squad fly to Norway on Wednesday for Thursday's Uefa Conference League play-off first-leg match with Tromso.

Baleba made 35 appearances for Brighton last season, picking up seven yellow cards as a defensive midfielder.

Analysis: Man Utd need the 24-25 version of Baleba

This is an interesting move by United.

On one side, it makes perfect sense. They tried to sign Baleba 12 months ago, so are fully aware of his abilities.

He is the kind of box-to-box player United do not have in their midfield despite the arrivals of Santos and Tielemans.

Baleba wants to make the move and the fee, whatever it ends up as, will be much less than the £100m they were quoted previously.

However, the reason the fee has gone down is the underwhelming form he showed for Brighton last season.

Thirty-one starts and three substitute appearances in the Premier League in 2024-25 became 23 starts and eight substitute appearances in 2025-26, highlighting a dip in form and value to Fabian Hurzeler in a campaign when Brighton secured European football for only the second time in their history.

There was a belief Baleba's head had been turned by United's interest, but Brighton sources last season said they didn't think that was right.

With the transfer deadline approaching, Old Trafford chiefs have made their move.

Carrick must hope he gets the 2024-25 version.