STATUS: OFFICIAL
Carlos Baleba is officially a Manchester United player. The club records his signing date as 25 August 2026 and confirms a contract through June 2031, with an option for a further year.
WHAT IS CONFIRMED
The 22-year-old Cameroon midfielder arrives from Brighton & Hove Albion. Manchester United have added him to the first-team squad and describe a player who combines ball-winning with progressive carrying.
The club’s official profile says Baleba moved to England from Lille and made 31 Premier League appearances in 2025/26. He will wear the number 20 shirt.
THE NUMBERS: WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT WE DO NOT
The clubs did not disclose a fee. Reuters, citing a source close to Manchester United, reports an initial £60 million plus further add-ons. Other British reports have offered different structures, so ON MEDIA.AL does not present any total as an officially confirmed figure.
His salary and personal bonus structure have not been published either. Only the contract length and the extra-year option are confirmed by the club.
A MAJOR MIDFIELD MOVE
Baleba brings energy, pressure and the ability to carry possession forward. For United, his arrival is another part of the midfield rebuild; for the player, it is a move to the club he described as his dream.
SOURCES
Manchester United, 25 August 2026: https://www.manutd.com/en/news/carlos-baleba-joins-united
Official player profile: https://www.manutd.com/en/teams/mens-team/carlos-baleba
Reuters, 25 August 2026: https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/man-united-sign-midfielder-carlos-baleba-2026-08-25/
