Overview
- Reports on Wednesday say Manchester United have tabled a package of about £60m up front plus £5m in add-ons for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba and have agreed personal terms pending a medical.
- Brighton have not accepted the offer and are understood to be asking for a higher fee, with negotiations described as amicable but unfinished.
- Baleba is recovering from a pre-season ankle ligament issue that is not expected to be long-term but means he may miss the opening weeks of the season.
- If completed, the move would be United's third midfield signing of the summer following Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos and would address depth lost to departures and injuries.
- The saga reflects a shifting market for elite young midfielders as Brighton's earlier valuations above £100m have softened and rival interest in targets such as Manu Koné adds competition for clubs across Europe.