Man Utd complete signing of Carlos Baleba

Manchester United are set to complete the signing of midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton, with the player scheduled to undergo a medical on Saturday, August 22, 2026. The deal, reported to be worth an initial £65 million plus £5 million in add-ons, will see the 22-year-old Cameroon international join the club on a five-year contract. The transfer has been agreed as part of a significant midfield overhaul at Old Trafford. United have already secured signings for Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos this summer. The club identified midfield as a priority area following the departure of Casemiro, an injury to Manuel Ugarte, and the inconsistent form of Mason Mount. Baleba, who was a target for United last summer when Brighton valued him at over £100 million, now arrives for a reduced fee. While the move is imminent, Baleba will not be available for immediate selection. He is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury and is not expected to be fit until late September. Upon his arrival, he will compete for a place in the starting lineup alongside Kobbie Mainoo, Mount, Tielemans, and Santos. A potential complication for the new signing is his squad number.