Manchester United to pay up to £70m for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba

Manchester United and Brighton have agreed a fee of up to £70m for midfielder Carlos Baleba after negotiations reached a breakthrough on Friday evening. The breakthrough leaves the 22-year-old free to complete his medical with the Old Trafford outfit this weekend.

Baleba joined Brighton from Lille for £23.2m in August 2023. The clubs have agreed an initial payment of £65m plus a potential £5m in add-ons, and Brighton have negotiated a sell-on clause. The 22-year-old Cameroon international is currently sidelined with an ankle injury he picked up during their pre-season training camp in Austria.

United targeted the Cameroon international after deciding to strengthen their midfield further following the earlier arrivals of Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. The club will pay an initial £65m, with a further £5m possible in add-ons. Once the deal is completed, it will take United's summer spending up to £153m.

United have yet to decide whether they will continue to search for a left-back to challenge Luke Shaw. Baleba is a left-footed player who has played in that position on occasion. Regular right-backs Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have both been used on the left and could also provide cover for head coach Michael Carrick.

The transfer brings to a close United's attempts to further bolster midfield following the departure of veteran Brazilian Casemiro after his contract expired. Manuel Ugarte was expected to leave this summer but suffered a serious knee injury on World Cup duty with Uruguay. In addition to Santos and Tielemans, England international Kobbie Mainoo will be available for the Saturday lunchtime Premier League trip to newly promoted Hull City.

The Cameroon international's eagerness to make the move north helped speed up the transfer. He is due to undergo a medical at Old Trafford this weekend.