Carlos Baleba has successfully completed his medical examinations in Manchester and signed a five-year contract with Manchester United, which includes an option for an extension until 2032. The club is expected to confirm the transfer from Brighton on Monday. The deal is valued at an initial £65 million, with an additional £5 million in potential bonuses.
Baleba, a 22-year-old midfielder from Cameroon, spent the weekend in Manchester and visited the Carrington training complex on Sunday. This transfer follows Manchester United's earlier signings of central midfielders Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Aston Villa's Youri Tielemans, for a combined £85 million. Both new midfielders featured in the team's opening Premier League match on Saturday, a 2-0 loss to Hull.
In parallel, Manchester United is reportedly keeping tabs on Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde as the club seeks to enhance its options at left-back. Barcelona's manager, Hansi Flick, commented on Balde's situation after his team's 5-0 victory over Elche on Sunday, noting that the Spanish defender was not part of the squad. Flick stated he had spoken with Balde that morning, suggesting the player needed to "clear his mind" before any further discussions about his future.
Separately, Manchester United academy player Jacob Devaney is set to join Hibernian on a season-long loan, with an option for the Scottish club to make the move permanent.