Overview
- Reports on Wednesday say Manchester United have offered about £60 million up front plus £5 million in add-ons for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.
- Sky Sports and other outlets report that personal terms are ready and a five-year contract has been prepared, with plans for Baleba to travel to Manchester for medical scheduling once clubs agree a fee.
- Baleba is recovering from a pre-season ankle ligament injury and is expected to miss the opening fixtures but not face a long-term layoff.
- Brighton previously valued Baleba at roughly £100–115 million, but his inconsistent 2025/26 form and injuries have softened the club's stance and opened the door to a compromise.
- If completed the transfer would complete Carrick's midfield rebuild after the arrivals of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos and would change United's options and competition for places while ending a long pursuit that stalled last year.