Man Utd strike £70m transfer agreement after breakthrough in negotiations
Daily Express · Steven Railston; Scott Trotter · 2026-08-21T20:31:45+00:00 · nguồn gốc
Man Utd strike £70m transfer agreement after crucial breakthrough in negotiations
Manchester United are set to add a third midfield signing of the summer after reaching an agreement over a transfer.
Manchester United have struck a deal with Brighton to acquire midfielder Carlos Baleba for £65million, plus £5m in add-ons. United's initial offer of £60million, with £5m in add-ons, was rejected earlier this week, but an enhanced bid has now been accepted, meaning Baleba will become United's third midfield acquisition of the summer.
The midfielder had been valued at more than £100million by Brighton last summer, but United have managed to secure their target at a considerably lower price twelve months later. Baleba recently sustained an ankle ligament injury. The problem is not believed to be severe, but the 22-year-old is expected to be unavailable for immediate selection at United. He is set to put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Old Trafford. A medical is reportedly scheduled for Saturday.
United have spent £85m so far this summer, bringing in back-up goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer, securing Andrey Santos in a £50m deal and signing Youri Tielemans for £35m. The summer outlay will reach £155m once the Baleba deal is concluded.
United had planned to reshape their midfield this summer following Casemiro's exit on a free transfer. Manuel Ugarte picked up a serious knee injury at the World Cup, further highlighting the need for additional reinforcements.
United will also be looking to bring in a left-back before the transfer window shuts for Premier League clubs on September 1.
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Michael Carrick admitted that the club are still hoping to get deals over the line before the window closes in little over a week. The former midfielder appeared to be pleased with the work conducted so far.
"I just think we're looking to strengthen the squad," he said. "We're certainly working towards that, making the most of the situation that we have and trying to improve things and trying to move forward.
"I said the same thing to you last time, so yeah, certainly trying to make the most of the opportunities to finish the window stronger than we went into it, and I think we're in a good way to doing that so far."