Manchester United have announced the signing of Carlos Baleba in a deal worth up to £70million. The 22-year-old midfielder has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford, leaving Brighton after three impressive seasons.
United will pay an initial £65m plus a further £5m in add-ons. Brighton have also negotiated a sell-on clause for the midfielder they bought from French side Lille in 2023.
Midfield rebuild complete
Baleba becomes the Red Devils' third midfield signing of the summer, joining Andrey Santos (£50m) and Youri Tielemans (£35m). United will now focus on other areas during the final week of the transfer window, with left-back a priority.
Contact has been made for Barcelona's Alejandro Balde, who was left out of their squad to face Elche on Sunday. A forward is also on United's shopping list but may depend on the future of Joshua Zirkzee.
Injury and debut timeline
Baleba isn't expected to make his debut until next month, with the Cameroon international nursing an ankle ligament injury which ruled him out of Brighton's first two games. United host Ipswich this Sunday looking for their first point of the season, as Michael Carrick's side suffered an abject 2-0 defeat away to Hull in their opening Premier League game.
Their need for a player like Baleba was no more evident than against Hull, as they sorely lacked a midfielder capable of covering ground and winning back possession. United did the groundwork on the 22-year-old last summer when Brighton quoted United £100m for his services.
Patience pays off
But the club's patience has paid off, signing him for considerably less this time around. His arrival takes United's spending to £155m, with their other newcomer, goalkeeper Karl Darlow, joining on a free transfer.
