Manchester United are close to completing the signing of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba in a deal expected to exceed £60 million, with a five-year contract prepared and the player understood to be preparing for a medical in Manchester.
Baleba, 22, has not featured in any of Brighton's pre-season friendlies while recovering from an ankle ligament injury sustained at a training camp in Austria. Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has described the problem as not too serious, though the player is expected to remain sidelined for another two to three weeks. United have until midday on Friday to register him for Saturday's match at Hull City.
The Cameroon international would become United's third midfield signing of the summer following arrivals Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Brighton valued the player in excess of £100 million last summer when United first attempted to sign him, but an initial £60 million offer now falls below the club's current valuation. Baleba made 35 appearances for Brighton last season after joining from Lille in 2023.