Manchester United have officially completed the signing of 22-year-old Cameroon international Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal worth up to £70 million. The agreement comprises a guaranteed £65 million fee and a further £5 million in add-ons, with Baleba signing a five-year contract and an option for another year.
For Baleba, the move to Old Trafford represents the latest stage of a journey that began in Cameroon few years ago and is a testament of the midfielder’s meteoric rise since then.
From Cameroon’s EFBC to Europe
Born in Douala, Cameroon, Baleba was developed at the École de Football Brasseries du Cameroun (EFBC), one of the country’s prominent football academies.
His performances in Cameroon attracted attention from Europe, eventually leading to a move to France and Lille. At Lille, Baleba was exposed to a higher level of competition and began making the transition from promising academy player to professional midfielder.
He made 21 appearances for Lille before moving to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023 where the Cameroonian midfielder got a platform to develop in one of the world’s most demanding leagues.
Over three seasons, Baleba made 112 appearances for Brighton in all competitions and United had previously explored signing the midfielder but were discouraged by Brighton’s valuation, which at one stage was reported to be around £100 million or higher. The club eventually revived its interest as the 2026 summer transfer window progressed, negotiating a considerably lower package.
The final agreement represented a significant change from Brighton’s earlier valuation: £65 million guaranteed, with another £5 million available in add-ons.
For United, the transfer forms part of a major restructuring of the midfield under manager Michael Carrick. Baleba became the club’s third midfield signing of the summer after Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.
At Manchester United, Baleba will now face a different kind of pressure with United counting on his physicality, energy and defensive qualities to add balance to a midfield undergoing a substantial rebuild.
