Man Utd Transfer News: Brighton Midfielder Carlos Baleba Close to Old Trafford Move – BBC Sport
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Man Utd close on deal for Brighton’s Baleba
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Carlos Baleba has been one of Brighton’s top performers in recent years, making 35 appearances last season*
By Simon Stone, Chief football news reporter
Published 3 hours 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.
Tactical analysis: how Baleba’s versatility and physicality improves United
By Umir Irfan, Football tactics correspondent
United have prioritised players of a certain ilk to begin the window. Both Andres Santos and Youri Tielemans resemble Kobbie Mainoo in being technical midfielders that thrive in small spaces, able to rotate and connect well under pressure. This is a deliberate choice with Michael Carrick perhaps taking inspiration from PSG’s midfield trio who he has referred to…
