Manchester United agree to £70m deal for Brighton's Carlos Baleba

Manchester United have agreed a fee of up to £70m for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.

The two clubs reached a breakthrough in negotiations on Friday evening, which left the 22-year-old free to complete his medical with the Old Trafford outfit this weekend.

United targeted the Cameroon international this week after deciding to strengthen their midfield further following the earlier arrivals of Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.

They will pay an initial £65m, plus a potential £5m in add-ons, while the Seagulls have also negotiated a sell-on clause.

Baleba, who joined Brighton from Lille in 2023, is currently sidelined with an ankle injury he picked up during their pre-season training camp in Austria.

Once the deal goes through, it will take United's summer spending up to £153m.

However, it is also a huge saving on what Brighton were demanding as the 2025 transfer deadline approached.

It remains to be seen whether United will continue to search for a left-back to challenge Luke Shaw, or whether Baleba, a left-footed player who has played in that position on occasion, and regular right-backs Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui - who have both been used on the left - can provide the cover head coach Michael Carrick needs.

The transfer ends United's attempts to strengthen their midfield following the departure of veteran Brazilian Casemiro after his contract expired.

Manuel Ugarte was also expected to leave this summer, but he suffered a serious knee injury on World Cup duty with Uruguay.

In addition to Santos and Tielemans, England international Kobbie Mainoo will be available for the Saturday lunchtime Premier League trip to newly promoted Hull City.

Baleba should give Carrick's side additional athleticism and the Cameroon international's eagerness to make the move north helped speed up the transfer.