Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba appears to be edging towards a move to Manchester United, with an improved offer seemingly leading to a verbal agreement between the clubs. He remains a Brighton player for now; the final fee, add-ons and remaining formal steps still need to be completed before the transfer can be treated as a done deal.
- Manchester United are nearing a deal for Carlos Baleba after an improved bid moved negotiations forward with Brighton.
- An earlier £65m package had fallen short, with that proposal understood to comprise roughly £60m plus £5m in add-ons.
- Baleba is understood to favour the move, but no medical, contract signing or club announcement has been confirmed.
Carlos Baleba’s Current Transfer Situation
Carlos Baleba is still a Brighton player, even as Manchester United move closer to taking the deal into its final stages. The latest shift in talks points to United’s improved bid having taken the clubs to a verbal agreement.
The move is not over the line yet. The final fee and the structure of any add-ons are still not fully clear, and there has been no confirmation of a medical, signed contract or official announcement. A long-term deal could be ready if the transfer is finalised, but that remains part of the next phase rather than something already completed.
Baleba is also recovering from an ankle ligament injury picked up in pre-season. The issue is not expected to keep him sidelined for an extended period, though it remains a minor caveat regarding his immediate availability should the move be wrapped up soon.
The Improved Bid and Brighton’s Valuation
The key to this latest movement is the change in United’s offer. An earlier £65m package was rejected; that proposal was understood to be roughly £60m guaranteed plus £5m in add-ons, falling short of Brighton’s valuation.
Brighton had held a very high asking price for Baleba, previously placing his valuation above £100m before that figure dropped significantly. Any willingness to let him leave depended on United getting much closer to a figure the club would accept.
What Baleba Could Bring to Manchester United
Manchester United’s interest makes sense from a squad-planning perspective. Baleba has the profile to add midfield coverage, ball-winning ability and passing range, giving United another option in an area where athleticism and defensive security can quickly change the balance of a side.
His game is built around reading danger early, screening space intelligently and tracking runners without losing shape. Baleba also has the recovery speed to help against counter-attacks, while his ball-carrying can drive play forward instead of simply recycling possession under pressure.
Recent Premier League evidence suggests United would see him as more than a project signing. Baleba made 31 league appearances and played 1,653 minutes in 2025, after 34 appearances, 2,660 minutes, three goals and one assist in 2024. In the 2024-25 Premier League season, he also recorded 92 combined tackles and interceptions.
His recent form and ankle recovery mean this would not be a risk-free move, but the upside is easy to see. If United do complete it, Baleba could become an important part of the club’s midfield planning and take a major next step in his career.
