Manchester United signs Carlos Baleba and enters negotiations over Joshua Zirkzee

The Old Trafford club completes a £70m deal for the Cameroonian midfielder while Fiorentina pursues a loan move for Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee.

August 27, 2026 · Manchester United, Carlos Baleba, Joshua Zirkzee, Fiorentina, Transfer News

Manchester United has finalized the signing of Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton for a total package of £70m. According to BBC Sport Football, the agreement involves an initial payment of £65m plus £5m in potential add-ons, with Brighton securing a sell-on clause. The 22-year-old has committed to a five-year contract at Old Trafford, which includes an option to extend for an additional year.

Baleba joins the club following United’s summer recruitment of Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. The move was prompted by a 2-0 defeat against Hull City in the Premier League season opener, where both Santos and Tielemans made their debuts. While United had attempted to sign Baleba last year, they were previously deterred by Brighton’s valuation of over £100m.

Baleba currently remains unavailable for selection due to an ankle injury sustained during pre-season training in Austria. He joins United after making 112 appearances for Brighton, where he scored four goals and finished eighth in the Premier League last season. In a farewell video, Baleba expressed gratitude to the Brighton supporters, noting that they did not boo him after a difficult night against Aston Villa where he was substituted early.

“It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams,” Baleba said, according to BBC Sport Football. He also highlighted his desire to work under head coach Michael Carrick, citing the manager’s experience as a key factor in his development.

United captain Bruno Fernandes spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live regarding the acquisition, stating that Baleba is “someone that can improve our team and has different qualities to what we already have in the club.” Fernandes noted that while expectations are high, the club intends to give the midfielder time to establish himself.

Tactical profile and statistics

Baleba was selected for his physical attributes and ability to cover ground. According to BBC Sport Football, he ranked fourth among Premier League midfielders last season for possessions won in the middle third (107) and interceptions (46). He also finished fifth for ball recoveries (197) and seventh for duels won (199). His top speed reached 34.5km/h in the 2024-25 campaign, which is significantly higher than Casemiro’s recorded top speed of 30.5km/h.

While Baleba’s progressive distribution was lower than many peers—averaging 6.7 progressive carries per 90 minutes with only 11.8% of passes classed as line-breaking—he is expected to provide defensive security. He spent 88% of his minutes last season as a defensive midfielder, but he has also demonstrated the ability to play centrally or at left-back. This versatility may offer an alternative to current options like Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui if Luke Shaw is unavailable.

Fiorentina interest in Joshua Zirkzee

Manchester United is currently navigating transfer discussions involving forward Joshua Zirkzee. The 25-year-old has attracted interest from several European clubs, including Juventus and Napoli, according to ESPN Soccer.

There are conflicting reports regarding the status of a move to Fiorentina. Football Italia reports that the Italian side have already lodged a formal bid for a season-long loan deal costing €5m with an unspecified option to buy. However, both ESPN Soccer and BBC Sport Football state that while talks are ongoing, no formal agreement has been reached yet.

Zirkzee’s availability is tied to the situation of Moise Kean at Fiorentina. According to Football Italia, Como has submitted a second offer for Kean worth €40m (€35m fixed and €5m in bonuses). Fiorentina’s sporting director Fabio Paratici previously stated that the club would not sanction Kean’s departure until they secured an equal or better replacement. Calciomercato reports that Zirkzee has moved ahead of Beto as a primary target for the Viola to fill this vacancy.

Zirkzee joined Manchester United from Bologna in 2024 for £36.5m. During his two seasons at Old Trafford, he has made 75 appearances and scored nine goals, making only 27 starts during that period. He was an unused substitute in the recent loss to Hull City.

Financial overview and next steps

Manchester United’s summer spending figures vary slightly between reports. BBC Sport Football records the club’s total spend at £153m, while ESPN Soccer notes that £155m has been spent specifically on the three midfield signings of Santos, Tielemans, and Baleba.

Fans should watch for several developments before the September 1 transfer deadline:

• The finalization of the Zirkzee loan agreement with Fiorentina.
• Confirmation of whether Kean completes his move to Como.
• The recovery status of Carlos Baleba from his ankle injury.
• United’s potential moves in the forward line and at left-back, as sources indicate the club is assessing these positions regardless of Zirkzee’s departure.