Carlos Baleba joins Manchester United in transfer from Brighton

What the report says

Manchester United have completed the signing of Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton, according to Al Jazeera, in a move announced on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The 22-year-old joins the Premier League club on a contract running until 2031, with an option for an extra year, subject to registration. The reported transfer fee has not been officially disclosed, but the article says the deal is understood to be worth about £70 million, after Brighton had reportedly wanted as much as $100 million.

Baleba arrives after three seasons at Brighton, where he made more than 100 appearances and 79 starts. Born in Douala, he began his professional career with Lille in France in 2022 before moving to England in 2023. He has also made 16 appearances for Cameroon. Al Jazeera noted that United had tracked him in previous transfer windows and that he is the club’s third midfield signing of the summer.

The transfer is part of a broader midfield rebuild at Old Trafford, with United’s spending on the position now reported to be more than £150 million this window. The club said Baleba’s numbers in tackles, interceptions and ball carries made him one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders, and his arrival is intended to help fill the gap left by Casemiro’s departure to Inter Miami. The move also comes as Brighton continue to rebuild after qualifying for the UEFA Conference League.