EPL: Man United closing in on £60m-plus deal for Brighton’s Baleba

Manchester United is reportedly close to securing a deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, with an initial offer of over £60 million submitted. This move signals United's continued efforts to bolster their midfield ahead of the upcoming season.

The Red Devils had previously pursued the Cameroon international last summer but were put off by Brighton's asking price, which was well over £100 million at the time. After failing in their pursuit of Matheus Fernandes earlier this summer, United has now turned its attention back to Baleba.

United has already made significant additions to its midfield this summer, acquiring Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48 million and Youri Tielemans, who joined from Aston Villa for £35 million. Mason Mount, initially impressive, has been sidelined with a foot injury.

Baleba himself is currently recovering from an ankle injury sustained during pre-season training in Austria and is expected to be out for another two to three weeks. Last season, the 21-year-old made 35 appearances for Brighton, predominantly as a defensive midfielder, and received seven yellow cards. Despite his injury, United's interest suggests they see him as a valuable box-to-box midfielder, a profile they currently lack. The eventual transfer fee is anticipated to be considerably lower than Brighton's initial valuation, though his form last season, which saw a decline in starts and importance, may have contributed to the reduced price.