By Francis Onyach - Reporter
UK, 21 August 2026 - Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion for the transfer of Carlos Baleba, bringing the Cameroon international closer to becoming the club's latest major midfield signing.
The breakthrough follows an improved proposal from United after Brighton rejected an earlier offer worth around £65 million. Fabrizio Romano has now reported that United have sent an official bid worth more than €70 million plus €6 million in add-ons, with a verbal agreement subsequently reached between the two clubs.
Baleba has also made his preference clear. The midfielder has reportedly wanted the move to Old Trafford and has already agreed personal terms with Manchester United.
Baleba has been a long-standing target for Manchester United.
The club explored a move for him previously but were unable to convince Brighton to sell. At that stage, the Seagulls were understood to value the midfielder at around £100 million, making a transfer difficult to complete.
His valuation has subsequently fallen, partly following an inconsistent 2025/26 campaign and fitness problems, allowing United to return with a significantly more manageable proposal.
The latest negotiations have moved rapidly.
United initially submitted a package reported at £60 million plus £5 million in add-ons, which Brighton rejected. The improved offer has now pushed negotiations over the line, with the agreement in place.
Baleba is expected to become a crucial part of Michael Carrick's Manchester United midfield.
The 22-year-old is primarily a defensive or central midfielder and is valued for his athleticism, ball-winning ability, physicality and ability to cover large areas of the pitch.
Those qualities make him particularly attractive to United as they continue rebuilding their midfield.
The Red Devils have already strengthened the position this summer with the arrivals of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa and Andrey Santos from Chelsea. Baleba would give Carrick another powerful option capable of operating as the deeper midfielder or contributing in a more box-to-box role.
His arrival would also help compensate for the departure of Casemiro, while giving United significantly more athleticism in the middle of the pitch.
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in August 2023 in a deal worth an initial €27 million, with potential add-ons taking the package to around €30 million.
He quickly established himself as one of Brighton's most exciting young players and became an important part of the club's midfield.
His performances attracted attention from some of Europe's biggest clubs, with Manchester United particularly impressed by his ability to combine defensive work with progressive ball carrying.
Brighton have traditionally been reluctant sellers unless their valuation is met, which explains why negotiations over Baleba have taken considerable time.
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One issue United will need to monitor is Baleba's fitness.
The midfielder has been recovering from an ankle ligament injury, which has affected his availability at the beginning of the campaign. Nevertheless, United have remained determined to complete the transfer.
That commitment underlines just how highly the club rates him.
Sky Sports had previously reported that Baleba was preparing to travel to Manchester for a medical, while a five-year contract had been prepared for him.
From £100m valuation to Manchester United
The transfer represents quite a turnaround.
Only around a year ago, Brighton's valuation of Baleba reportedly made a United move virtually impossible. Now, the Red Devils have negotiated a package substantially below that previous figure.
For Brighton, however, the sale still represents an enormous return on their investment in a player they signed for roughly €27 million.
For United, the bigger question will be whether Baleba can develop into the dominant defensive midfielder the club have been searching for.
The important distinction is that the verbal agreement has been reached, but the transfer is not yet formally completed.
The remaining steps include final documentation, the medical and the player's formal contract signing.
But the biggest obstacle has now been cleared.
Carlos Baleba is set to become a Manchester United player after the Red Devils reached a verbal agreement with Brighton following an improved bid exceeding €70 million plus €6 million in add-ons.
If the final formalities go smoothly, United will have secured one of their priority midfield targets and potentially one of the most important pieces of Michael Carrick's new-look team.
Carlos Baleba to Manchester United: Red Devils Reach Verbal Agreement With Brighton
Baleba has been a long-standing target for Manchester United.