Manchester United have reached a formal agreement with Brighton and Hove Albion regarding the transfer of midfielder Carlos Baleba. The deal for the 22-year-old Cameroon international involves a total package reaching up to £70 million.

Negotiations between the two Premier League clubs advanced significantly on Friday evening, resulting in a breakthrough that allowed the player to proceed with his medical examinations. The financial structure of the transfer includes an initial guaranteed payment of £65 million, alongside an additional £5 million in performance-related add-ons. Furthermore, Brighton successfully negotiated a sell-on clause as part of the agreement, securing a percentage of any potential future transfer fee for the young talent.

United officials elevated the midfielder to a primary target during the week after evaluating their current squad requirements. The club decided to pursue further additions in the center of the pitch despite having already brought in Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa earlier in the transfer window. Managerial staff at Old Trafford believe the addition of the dynamic midfielder will provide essential depth and energy to the squad as the season progresses.

Baleba established himself as a prominent figure in the Brighton setup following his arrival on the south coast, attracting attention from several top-tier clubs with his physical capabilities and defensive qualities. His impending switch to Manchester represents one of the major domestic moves of the summer window, highlighting United's ongoing squad reconstruction under their football leadership.

The formalities of the transfer are expected to be finalized once the medical assessment is successfully completed and personal terms are formally signed. The player will then be unveiled as the latest addition to the Old Trafford squad, stepping into a heavily reinforced midfield department ahead of upcoming domestic and European fixtures.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.