Manchester United are edging closer to sealing a deal worth more than £60 million for Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder, Carlos Baleba, with the move now understood to be at an advanced stage.

Reports from England indicate that the Cameroon international is preparing to travel to Manchester for a medical examination ahead of the transfer being formally completed.

United have already prepared a five year contract for Baleba to sign once the two clubs finalise the structure and total value of the deal. While the exact fee is still being worked out, it is expected to exceed £60 million, with United’s opening proposal said to include around £5 million in potential add ons.

Brighton had long resisted offers for the 22 year old, having previously insisted he was not for sale and suggesting a valuation north of £100 million during earlier negotiating rounds.

The move comes as United continue to reshape their midfield under Michael Carrick, having already completed the signings of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa and Andrey Santos from Chelsea this summer. The club also pursued Newcastle’s Elliot Anderson before he opted to join Manchester City instead.

Injuries have added urgency to United’s search for fresh legs in midfield, with Manuel Ugarte sidelined after picking up a knock during the World Cup with Uruguay and Mason Mount missing the final two pre season fixtures.

Baleba, who joined Brighton from Lille in 2023, has made over 100 appearances for the Seagulls and was a standout performer last season with 35 outings across all competitions. His involvement with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations briefly interrupted his club form, and he is currently working his way back from an ankle ligament issue, though the injury is not considered serious enough to keep him out for long once a move goes through.

If completed, the transfer would see Baleba join a crowded United midfield already featuring Tielemans, Santos, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes, giving Carrick a genuine selection headache in the engine room heading into the new season.