Key facts
- Manchester United signed 22-year-old midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton for £65m plus £5m in add-ons, with a sell-on clause for the Seagulls
- Baleba signed a five-year contract with an option to extend for 12 months
- The deal marks United’s third midfield signing this summer after Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans; total midfield spending now around £148-153 million
- Baleba made 31 Premier League appearances last season and 112 total appearances for Brighton, scoring 4 goals
- The Cameroon international has represented his country 16 times and is currently recovering from an ankle injury
- United finished the 2024-25 season and made their first Champions League qualification since 2023-24
The deal
Manchester United have completed the signing of Carlos Baleba from Brighton. The club paid an initial £65 million with a potential £5 million in add-ons, plus agreed to a sell-on clause for Brighton. Baleba signed a five-year contract with the option to extend for a further 12 months. He is a 22-year-old Cameroon midfielder who has earned 16 international caps.
Context and rebuild
Baleba is the third midfield signing Manchester United have made during the summer transfer window, following Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. According to BBC Sport, this takes United’s total summer spending to £153 million, though The Guardian reports the midfield expenditure at approximately £148 million. The signings follow the departure of Casemiro and the serious knee injury sustained by Manuel Ugarte. United are preparing for Champions League football for the first time since the 2023-24 season.
Brighton background
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and made 112 total appearances for the Seagulls. During the 2024-25 season, he featured in 31 Premier League matches as Brighton finished eighth and qualified for the UEFA Conference League. He scored four goals across all competitions. According to BBC Sport, United had previously targeted Baleba near the transfer deadline last summer but were deterred by Brighton’s valuation, which exceeded £100 million. The club renewed their interest this week.
Playing style and potential
CBS Sports notes that Baleba has shown strength in tackles and winning possession, and is an excellent dribbler capable of turning defense into attack. However, the source also points out that last season he sometimes struggled to create clear chances for teammates, though he recorded two assists across all competitions during the 2024-25 campaign. His more recent form, rather than last season’s performances, is what has convinced United of his potential. Captain Bruno Fernandes told BBC Radio 5 Live that Baleba brings qualities different from what United already have in the squad and that the club is prepared to give him time to develop.
Current status
According to BBC Sport, Baleba is currently sidelined with an ankle injury he sustained during Brighton’s pre-season training camp in Austria. This injury was acquired before his move to United was finalized.
Sources
Featured photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash