Manchester United's midfield overhaul is set to be completed after the club reached another major agreement with less than two weeks left in the transfer window.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Red Devils have agreed a £70 million deal to sign Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba.

The Cameroon international is set to join the Red Devils after a long period of interest, with United agreeing a significantly lower fee than Brighton's initial asking price.

Baleba's expected arrival would conclude Michael Carrick's rebuild in midfield following deals for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

Carlos Baleba Set to Join Manchester United in £70m Deal

Carlos Baleba is set to join Manchester United on a five-year contract with an option for another year.

The 22-year-old midfielder will cost an initial £65 million, with a further £5 million in add-ons, and the Seagulls will retain a sell-on clause in the deal.

He will undergo a medical in the coming days before the deal is concluded and he is unveiled as a new player for the Red Devils.

United initially tried to sign the midfielder last summer but baulked at Brighton's £100 million asking price, leaving the negotiating table.

They remained interested and eventually agreed a deal on more favourable financial terms.

How Carlos Baleba Completes Manchester United's Midfield Rebuild

Baleba's arrival would complete a major midfield rebuild at Old Trafford following the departure of veteran midfielder Casemiro at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The Red Devils lost Manuel Ugarte to a long-term knee injury during the FIFA World Cup, leaving them needing multiple midfield additions.

They signed Brazil midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea after a failed attempt to sign Ederson from Atalanta, paying £50 million for the 22-year-old.

They followed it up with the signing of Youri Tielemans, paying the £35 million release clause to Aston Villa.

Baleba becomes the third major midfield addition of the summer, taking United's spending in the position to around £150 million.

Carrick has targeted different midfield profiles, giving United a greater balance of ball-winning, passing control and athleticism.

The new midfield group should give United more energy in the press and transition while also improving their ability to control possession.

The Red Devils appeared to have neglected the position for too long, and have now managed to address it properly in a single window.

What Carlos Baleba Will Bring to Manchester United's Midfield

Baleba joined Brighton in 2023 as a replacement for Moises Caicedo after they lost his ground coverage in the midfield pivot.

Operating as a deep-lying defensive midfielder or box-to-box engine, he will provide the Red Devils with a combination of press resistance and power.

Baleba's ability to break lines with his progressive ball-carrying and aggressive duel-winning complements the tempo-setting passing of Tielemans and Santos' tactical discipline.

The Cameroonian's elite ground coverage could give Carrick greater freedom to use more expansive attacking structures while maintaining protection against counter-attacks.