Manchester United has officially secured the signing of Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton for a total fee of £70 million. The deal includes an initial payment of £65 million, with the potential for an additional £5 million in add-ons. Brighton has also negotiated a sell-on clause as part of the agreement.

Strengthening the Midfield

The Red Devils identified Baleba as a key target to bolster their midfield following the summer acquisitions of Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. Baleba has committed to a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with an option to extend for an additional year. The 22-year-old expressed his excitement about joining the club, stating, "It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams." He emphasized the honor of playing at Old Trafford and his eagerness to work with coach Michael Carrick, citing Carrick's experience and knowledge as crucial for his development.

Previous Interest and Current Situation

United's renewed interest in Baleba comes after a previous attempt to sign him last year, which fell through due to Brighton's valuation exceeding £100 million. Currently, Baleba is recovering from an ankle injury sustained during Brighton's pre-season training in Austria. During his time at Brighton, he made 112 appearances, scoring four goals, and played 31 matches in the Premier League last season, contributing to the team's eighth-place finish and qualification for the Conference League.

In a farewell message to Brighton fans, Baleba reflected on his time at the club, recalling a challenging moment during a match against Aston Villa. He expressed gratitude for the support he received from fans, stating, "You did not boo me. I have thought about that more than you know." With this transfer, Manchester United's summer spending has reached £153 million as they prepare for their return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2023-24 season. Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes praised Baleba as a "huge talent" who can enhance the team's capabilities, acknowledging the high expectations but emphasizing the need for patience as he adjusts to his new environment.