Manchester United are edging closer to signing Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba as manager Michael Carrick looks to add more energy and strength to his midfield ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Red Devils had previously targeted the Cameroon international last summer but were discouraged by Brighton’s asking price, which was understood to be above £100m.
United have now returned for Baleba after abandoning their pursuit of Matheus Fernandes earlier in the transfer window, with the midfielder’s valuation having dropped considerably.
According to BBC Sport, United have tabled an opening bid of £60m for the 22-year-old.
The offer is still below Brighton’s valuation, but talks between the two clubs are ongoing as United push to reach an agreement.
United have already added Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to their midfield this summer.
Santos arrived from Chelsea for £48m, while Tielemans joined from Aston Villa for £35m in July.
Mason Mount had also impressed alongside Santos during United’s opening three pre-season matches before suffering a foot injury against Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg on August 8.
Baleba is currently recovering from an ankle injury sustained during Brighton’s pre-season training camp in Austria and is expected to remain sidelined for another two to three weeks.
Brighton are scheduled to travel to Norway on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s UEFA Conference League play-off first-leg clash with Tromso.
Baleba featured 35 times for Brighton last season, picking up seven yellow cards while playing mainly as a defensive midfielder.
The proposed move would reunite United with a player they first attempted to sign 12 months ago and believe can provide the box-to-box qualities missing from their current midfield options.
Baleba is reportedly keen on the switch, while United are encouraged by the significant reduction in Brighton’s asking price compared with last summer.
However, the lower valuation is partly linked to the midfielder’s dip in form during the previous campaign.
He made 31 Premier League starts and three substitute appearances in 2024-25, compared with 23 starts and eight substitute outings in 2025-26.
His reduced involvement reflected a difficult season for the midfielder as Brighton secured European football for only the second time in their history.
There had been speculation that United’s interest had affected Baleba’s focus, but Brighton sources last season maintained that they did not believe his head had been turned.
With the transfer deadline fast approaching, United have now stepped up their pursuit and made a formal offer.
Carrick will hope the club can secure the version of Baleba who impressed during the 2024-25 campaign as United seek to inject greater physicality, energy and balance into their midfield.
