The deal will make Carlos Baleba Manchester United's most expensive summer signing, surpassing the £35m spent on Youri Tielemans and the initial £48m for Andrey Santos. If signed, Baleba will be the third midfielder added to Michael Carrick's squad in the window, joining Tielemans and Santos in a midfield rebuild aimed at creating a solid foundation through the middle of the team. According to The Guardian Football, Manchester United's total spend will be £148m if the deal is completed, including potential add-ons worth £5m.
Manchester United's midfield rebuild is led by Michael Carrick, who has been working to strengthen the team's core. Speaking before the agreement was struck, Carrick highlighted the importance of a functioning midfield, stating that it provides the foundation of the team and is crucial for consistency. The deal represents value on and off the pitch, with Brighton having hoped for a price in the region of £115m for Baleba last summer.
Manchester United failed to land Baleba last summer, but the club is now delighted with the deal. The signing of Baleba will further enhance the team's midfield, providing a solid foundation for the team to build upon. With the medical scheduled for this weekend, the next step will be to confirm whether the deal is completed, with the potential for add-ons worth £5m still to be negotiated.