Manchester United have officially confirmed the signing of Carlos Baleba from Brighton, ending a transfer saga that stretched back nearly a year and handing Michael Carrick a third new midfielder of the summer.
The move is worth up to £70 million, with United paying a guaranteed £65 million plus a further £5 million in potential add-ons, according to the club's announcement and reporting from Sky Sports and ESPN. The 22-year-old Cameroon international has signed a contract running until June 2031, with United holding the option of an additional year.
"It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams," Baleba said in United's statement. "Playing at Old Trafford is always special but the opportunity to do so as a Manchester United player will be a real honour." He also spoke of his excitement at working under Carrick, praising the manager's coaching credentials and the club's ambition.
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and made 112 appearances for the Seagulls, establishing himself as one of the Premier League's most sought-after defensive midfielders. In an emotional farewell message to Brighton supporters, he wrote: "I came here at 19 with little English and no idea what this club would become to me. Brighton only asked me to be myself."
United's interest dates back to autumn 2025, when the club were quoted a fee north of £100 million by Brighton and walked away. The Seagulls' asking price later settled closer to £87 million before the two clubs agreed the £65 million-plus-add-ons structure that closed the deal, according to reports from ONE and Sport1.
Baleba becomes United's third midfield addition of the window, following the arrivals of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa and Andrey Santos from Chelsea, as Carrick continues to overhaul a United squad that stumbled to a defeat on the opening day of the Premier League season.
There is no immediate on-pitch impact: Baleba has been sidelined since pre-season with an ankle injury and is not expected back in training until closer to mid-September. Sky Sports reported he could be in contention for United's away trip to face Manchester City on 13 September, though that timeline depends on his recovery.
For Brighton, the sale continues a familiar pattern of developing and moving on prized midfield talent for significant profit, having brought Baleba in from Lille for a reported €27 million just three years ago.
