Overview
- United announced the signing on Tuesday, Aug. 25, agreeing a reported package of £65m up front plus up to £5m in add‑ons and a five‑year contract with an option for a sixth year.
- Baleba underwent medical checks but has an ankle ligament injury from pre‑season that is expected to delay his competitive debut until around mid‑September.
- His arrival is the club’s third midfield addition this summer after Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos and addresses losing Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte’s absence through injury.
- With midfield business concluded, United have made signing a left‑back a priority before the Sept. 1 transfer deadline and have been linked to targets including Lewis Hall, Alejandro Balde and Jorge Salinas.
- Arsenal are set to confirm multiple youth signings this week — Igor Tyjon and Habeeb Ogunneye are expected to be announced soon and James Scanlon remains subject to agreement between Arsenal and Manchester United.