Manchester United have completed the signing of Cameroon international Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal reportedly worth up to £70 million, as manager Michael Carrick continues to reshape the club’s midfield. The 22-year-old midfielder has signed a five-year contract with an option for a further year. United did not disclose the transfer fee, but British reports put the initial payment at around £65 million, with another £5 million potentially payable in performance-related bonuses. Baleba becomes one of the club’s major midfield additions this summer following the departures of Casemiro and a serious knee injury suffered by Manuel Ugarte.
United have also strengthened the position with the arrivals of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa and Andrey Santos from Chelsea. Baleba said joining United fulfilled a childhood ambition. “It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams.” The Cameroon international has established himself as one of the Premier League’s promising young midfielders since joining Brighton. Last season, he ranked highly in the league for tackles and interceptions, while United said he was among the top one per cent of players for winning second balls. United football director Jason Wilcox described Baleba as an elite midfielder with significant potential, highlighting his physical qualities and ability to influence games from the centre of the pitch. His arrival comes at an important moment for United, who suffered a 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Hull City in their opening Premier League fixture. Baleba is now expected to add energy, defensive strength, ball-winning ability and physical presence to a midfield undergoing a major overhaul.
