Manchester United have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton and Hove Albion, as per transfer expert David Ornstein.
Following Casemiro’s departure as a free agent and Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee issue, the Red Devils have prioritised revamping the midfield department in this window.
After failing to sign expensive targets like Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, United signed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively last month.
However, having qualified for this season’s Champions League, Michael Carrick’s side are set to face a demanding fixture schedule. So, they needed more depth to the engine room as, apart from the two new signings, United have Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo as deeper midfield options.
However, Mount has been struggling with fitness problems since joining from Chelsea in 2023, while Mainoo is still very young and his game time needs to be managed carefully to help him reach his full potential.
Man Utd held a long-standing interest in Baleba as they initially attempted to purchase him last summer, but Brighton refused to let him leave.
Following his below-average performances last season, it was thought that United cooled their interest in him. However, they have decided to reignite their interest late in this transfer window.
Baleba to Man Utd
Now, on The Athletic, Ornstein reports that Man Utd have reached an agreement with Brighton to sign the Cameroon international for a £65m guaranteed fee plus £5m in add-ons. Moreover, the Seagulls have included a sell-on clause in the deal.
United have verbally agreed on personal terms with the 22-year-old until 2031, with an option to extend the deal for a year further, and he is set to undergo a medical today.
Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has backed Ornstein’s claim with his trademark ‘here we go’ post and states that Baleba only wanted to move to Old Trafford.
Baleba is an athletic left-footed defensive midfielder. He is quick, extremely strong, can progress the ball by carrying it, and has an eye for long-range passing. Moreover, he is good in the air and excellent in defensive contributions.
Baleba is still very young and possesses the potential to become a top-class player in the future. So, he might be a shrewd acquisition for Man Utd.
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