Manchester United closing in on Carlos Baleba with reported £60m plus £5m add-ons
Manchester United are closing in on a transfer for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, with a reported £60 million bid plus £5 million in add-ons, sources said on August 19, 2026. The move is part of ongoing negotiations between the two clubs as United pursue midfield reinforcements.
United have already signed Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos from Aston Villa and Chelsea, respectively, this window, and manager Michael Carrick has sought a third midfielder to replace Casemiro and finish the squad rebuild. According to reports in The Athletic and coverage via David Ornstein, the club has pursued Baleba for more than a year as it reshapes the middle of the park.
The offer is understood to fall short of Brighton’s valuation, with conversations between the two sides continuing and a deal expected to be reached. Negotiations remain active as both clubs discuss terms and possible add-ons attached to the transfer fee.
Baleba is capable of playing as a defensive midfielder or as a central midfielder, providing ball-winning ability and powerful carrying from deep positions. Observers note his physical presence, quick recovery and aggressive ball-winning traits as elements that would suit a high-energy midfield role.
Tactical projections place Baleba alongside Youri Tielemans in a 4-2-3-1 to blend athleticism with technical control: Tielemans is described as bringing calmness, press resistance and crisp distribution while Baleba supplies physical cover. One speculative starting XI deployed in those scenarios reads: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, Shaw; Baleba, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko, with Bruno Fernandes occupying the attacking midfield position and Cunha and Mbeumo on the wings.
Baleba suffered a pre-season ankle ligament injury that is reported to be less severe than first feared and he is expected to return to full fitness in September. His recovery timetable will be a factor in any finalisation of the transfer as talks continue.