Manchester United have agreed a deal worth £70 million to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton and Hove Albion, according to transfer expert David Ornstein.
Baleba is set to undergo his medical today, with the move now firmly in its final stages after United pushed hard to secure the midfielder this window.
The transfer comes as United face a growing need for reinforcements in the engine room following a turbulent period of midfield recruitment and injury problems.
Casemiro’s departure as a free agent and a serious knee injury suffered by Manuel Ugarte left manager Michael Carrick desperately short of options in the centre of the park.
United had previously pursued targets including Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, and Mateus Fernandes, but failed to land any of them before shifting their focus elsewhere.
The club did manage to bring in Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa last month, adding some body to a previously thin midfield department.
However, with United now back in the Champions League, a demanding fixture schedule means Carrick requires genuine depth beyond those two new arrivals.
Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo represent the other central midfield options at Old Trafford, though both come with significant caveats heading into the busy run of games ahead.
Mount has been plagued by fitness problems since his move from Chelsea in 2023, making him an unreliable presence in the squad when Carrick needs consistent availability.
Mainoo, meanwhile, is still young enough that the club is keen to manage his minutes carefully, ensuring he develops steadily rather than being overloaded with responsibility.
Baleba fits the profile United have been targeting, as an athletic, left-footed defensive midfielder with pace, physical strength, and an ability to carry the ball through lines.
He is also praised for his long-range passing, aerial presence, and defensive contributions, making him a well-rounded option to anchor United’s midfield in European competition.
At just 21 years old, Baleba brings considerable long-term upside to a squad that has mixed experienced heads with younger emerging talent throughout this transfer window.