United set to seal £70m Baleba deal to boost midfield

Manchester United are close to signing Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba for up to £70m (£65m upfront plus £5m in add-ons), with a medical expected this weekend and a sell-on clause. The 22-year-old Cameroon international would bolster a midfield rebuilt after Casemiro's departure, complementing arrivals Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans as United push to strengthen further. Baleba is currently sidelined with an ankle injury from pre-season; the deal would lift United's summer spend to about £153m and raise questions about left-back cover and overall squad balance ahead of the season.