Manchester United is on the verge of completing a transfer for midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion. The Red Devils have reportedly made an offer of approximately £60 million, plus an additional £5 million in bonuses, which is considerably less than the over £100 million that Brighton initially demanded.

Negotiations between the two clubs are progressing positively, with both parties eager to reach an agreement for Baleba to join Old Trafford. The 22-year-old midfielder is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury, but it is not considered serious and is not expected to sideline him for an extended period.

Midfield reinforcements have been a priority for Manchester United in this summer's transfer market. The club has already secured the signings of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa and Andrey Santos from Chelsea. Although United had previously reached an agreement with Atalanta for midfielder Ederson, they withdrew due to concerns over the Brazilian's knee injury. Additionally, United showed interest in Elliot Anderson, but the English international opted to join local rivals Manchester City.

If the deal for Baleba is finalized, he will join Tielemans, Santos, Kobbie Mainoo, and Bruno Fernandes as options in the midfield under manager Michael Carrick. Current midfielder Manuel Ugarte is sidelined due to a knee injury sustained while playing for Uruguay in the World Cup, and Mason Mount has missed the last two friendly matches before the season.

Baleba's transfer to Manchester United had previously been a topic of interest, with the club monitoring his performances since he joined Brighton from Lille in the summer of 2023. He has made 112 appearances for the English club, including 35 matches last season, although he missed several games due to participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Cameroonian star is expected to bolster United's midfield strength. Despite a challenging season at Brighton, his impressive performances in his first two seasons in the Premier League have kept United's interest alive. Reports in April indicated that United's pursuit of Baleba was still feasible due to his strong showing in the league and his overall statistics.

United's coaching staff has been closely monitoring Baleba's performances, especially during the Africa Cup of Nations, where he played alongside Bryan Mbeumo. Baleba's ability to control the game, regain possession, and distribute the ball effectively makes him a valuable addition to the team. His left-footedness also provides versatility, allowing him to serve as a backup left-back if needed.

Overall, Baleba's potential move to Manchester United marks a significant step for both the player and the club as they look to enhance their squad ahead of the new season.