Manchester United sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton for £65m

Manchester United have completed the signing of Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton for an initial £65m, with a further £5m potentially payable in add-ons.

The 22-year-old has agreed a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with United retaining the option to extend his stay for an additional 12 months. Brighton have also negotiated a sell-on clause as part of the deal.

Baleba becomes United’s third midfield signing of the transfer window, following the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. The move is part of a continued effort to reshape the club’s midfield under head coach Michael Carrick.

“It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams,” Baleba said. “Playing at Old Trafford is always special but the opportunity to do so as a Manchester United player will be a real honour.

“I cannot wait to work with Michael Carrick; his experience and knowledge of the game make him the perfect coach to help me reach the highest level.”

Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and made 112 appearances for the club. That included 31 Premier League appearances last season, during which he established himself as an important member of the Seagulls’ squad.

However, the Cameroon international will not be immediately available to Carrick because he is recovering from an ankle injury suffered during pre-season. His return is expected around the middle of September.

That timeline could rule Baleba out of his first Manchester derby, with United due to face Manchester City on 13 September.

His departure brings to an end a three-year spell at Brighton, where he arrived in England as a teenager. In an emotional farewell message to supporters, Baleba reflected on joining the club with limited English and thanked Brighton for helping him adapt to life in the country.

United sporting director Jason Wilcox said Baleba’s attributes would strengthen the squad and give the team an additional dimension in midfield.

“Carlos is an elite midfielder with immense potential to develop further,” Wilcox said. “He brings a unique combination of qualities that will really complement our squad.”

The transfer takes United’s spending in the current window to about £153m as they prepare for a return to the Champions League.

Their recruitment comes as they attempt to improve after a disappointing beginning to their Premier League campaign. United were beaten 2-0 by Hull City on Saturday.

Baleba’s move is the latest major step in United’s midfield rebuild, with the club adding him to a group that now includes Santos and Tielemans. His eventual return from injury will be closely watched as Carrick moulds the side ahead of a demanding season domestically and in Europe.