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Baleba to Old Trafford
Manchester United completed the signing of Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton, with the 22-year-old set to sign a five-year deal at Old Trafford on Tuesday 25 August 2026.
“Manchester United have completed the signing of midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton”
Sky Sports News said it had been reporting on United’s interest in Baleba since last autumn and broke the news that they enquired about signing him during the January transfer window.
The transfer is described as a deal worth up to £70m, made up of a £65m guaranteed fee plus £5m in add-ons, and Baleba’s contract includes the option of a further year.
Sky Sports News also said Baleba is currently injured after picking up an ankle injury in pre-season, and it understands he could be back by mid-September.
The move ends a transfer saga that Sky Sports News said has lasted almost 12 months, with United’s midfield additions also including Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
Quotes and club statements
Baleba told Manchester United’s website, "It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams," and said, "Playing at Old Trafford is always special but the opportunity to do so as a Manchester United player will be a real honour."
He added he "cannot wait to work with Michael Carrick," describing Carrick’s "experience and knowledge of the game" as making him "the perfect coach to help me to reach the highest level."
Manchester United’s director of football Jason Wilcox said, "Carlos is an elite midfielder with immense potential to develop further," and said the signing would "really complement our squad."
The Guardian reported that the Baleba deal is worth up to £70m and said it takes Manchester United’s spend on midfielders to about £148m, after the club’s third midfielder signing of the summer.
Al Jazeera said United confirmed Baleba had joined "subject to registration" and described him as the third midfielder signed by the Red Devils during the summer transfer window.
Debut timing and next matches
Sky Sports said Baleba could be back by mid-September after his ankle injury in pre-season, and it noted Manchester United play Manchester City on September 13, live on Sky Sports.
“Manchester United play Manchester City on September 13”
The Manchester Evening News said Baleba is set to complete a £70million move after undergoing a medical and reported that United have confirmed he will wear the No20 shirt at Old Trafford.
It also said the No20 shirt is the iconic number worn by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Robin van Persie, while Diogo Dalot was its most recent owner.
Al Jazeera reported that Baleba has made 16 appearances for Cameroon and said United’s statement did not disclose the value of the deal, while it also said Brighton had been holding out for a deal worth $100m.
RTE.ie put the fee at up to £70 million (€81.8m) and said Baleba signed a five-year-deal with the option to extend for a further 12 months after agreeing a £65m (€70m) deal plus £5m in add-ons and a sell-on with Brighton.