Carlos Baleba passes medical as Manchester United move reaches final stage

Carlos Baleba has completed his medical in Manchester as Manchester United close in on the signing of the Brighton midfielder for a reported €82m fee.

The Cameroon international is expected to become the latest addition to Michael Carrick’s midfield, with Manchester United having reached an agreement with Brighton over a deal for the 21-year-old. The transfer is now moving towards its final formal stages.

According to Roundtable, Baleba successfully underwent his medical in Manchester. He sustained a minor injury during his pre-season preparations, but that issue has not prevented him from progressing with the move. The player is expected to complete the remaining steps before committing his future to the Red Devils.

Baleba still has final media obligations to fulfil before signing his new contract. His signature is expected as soon as tomorrow, while Manchester United could announce the transfer shortly afterwards.

The midfielder remains under contract with Brighton until June 2028, with the club holding an option to extend that agreement by a further year. His estimated market value is €55m, meaning Manchester United have agreed to pay a significant premium to secure his services.

The Premier League club initially saw a proposal rejected last week, but eventually increased their offer. Manchester United approved the revised operation on Friday, with the overall value reported to be €82m.

Baleba’s expected arrival comes after a difficult start to the campaign for Carrick’s side. Manchester United were beaten 2-0 by Hull City, who were recently promoted to the Premier League. The result has added further focus to the club’s need to strengthen in midfield, with Baleba now poised to provide an additional option in the centre of the pitch.

The Cameroon international currently earns €756,162 per year, equivalent to 491,505,300 CFA francs. His move to Old Trafford would represent a major step in his career after establishing himself at Brighton.

Brighton are due to play their second match of the English league season against Chelsea in the near future. The match will take place with uncertainty still surrounding Baleba’s availability as his transfer to Manchester United approaches completion.

The betting company 1xBet listed Brighton at 3.40 to win, with a draw priced at 3.50 and Chelsea at 1.88. Those odds reflect Chelsea’s status as favourites for the fixture, although Brighton will prepare for the game while the club’s discussions over Baleba’s future continue.

For Manchester United, the next expected development is the completion of the midfielder’s contract and the club’s official confirmation of the deal. If the final formalities proceed as anticipated, Baleba will join the squad after Manchester United’s decision to raise their offer following Brighton’s initial refusal.