Here we go! Baleba picks the only club he wanted and United get their midfield anchor
Manchester United's summer-long midfield hunt is finally over, and it ends with the name they wanted all along.
Details: Fabrizio Romano has given his here we go: Carlos Baleba is joining Manchester United, with a verbal agreement in place between the clubs. United sent an improved bid today after their £65 million package was rejected, and the Brighton midfielder is set to join the only club he wanted.
The 22-year-old Cameroonian has been Michael Carrick's top target for weeks: United first moved for him last summer, revived the pursuit after missing out on Fernandes, Anderson and Ederson, and finally broke through with a package worth over £60 million plus add-ons. A five-year contract is ready, and Baleba is preparing to travel to Manchester for a medical despite nursing an ankle issue.
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and has grown into one of the league's most complete young holding midfielders, earning 16 caps for Cameroon. It's worth noting that he becomes United's third midfield signing of the summer after Tielemans and Andrey Santos, taking Carrick's rebuild spending well past £150 million.
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Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
