Sources: Man United agree $96M deal for Baleba

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  Rob DawsonAug 21, 2026, 03:58 PM ET

Manchester United have agreed a deal with Brighton for midfielder Carlos Baleba, sources confirmed to ESPN.

The Cameroon international is set to move to Old Trafford for an initial fee of £65 million ($88.7m) with another £5 million ($6.8m) due in potential add-ons.

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Baleba, 22, is set to undergo a medical with United on Saturday, sources added. While he is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, it is not thought to be a major problem.

Baleba will be the third midfielder to join the club this summer after deals for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

Sources told ESPN that United were quoted a price of more than £100 million to sign Baleba last summer.

CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox walked away from talks 12 months ago over concerns that Brighton were demanding a fee more than the £115 million agreed with Chelsea for Moisés Caicedo in 2023.

The £65 million fee agreed with Brighton for Baleba this summer represents a reduction of around £50 million.

Baleba has made 92 Premier League appearances in three years for Brighton after signing from Lille in 2023.

Man United begin their Premier League campaign with a trip to newly-promoted Hull City on Saturday.