Carlos Baleba has reportedly passed his Manchester United medical and signed his contract ahead of completing a £70million move from Brighton and Hove Albion.
United reached an agreement for the 22-year-old earlier this week, but the final stages of the deal have now been completed ahead of an official announcement which could arrive on Monday.
The Sun reported on Sunday evening that Baleba has passed his medical and signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford.
Carlos Baleba completes Man Utd transfer formalities
Manchester United will pay Brighton an initial £65million with another £5million potentially due in add-ons.
The deal also includes an option to extend Baleba’s contract by another year, potentially keeping the Cameroon international at Old Trafford until 2032.
Fabrizio Romano had already reported earlier on Sunday that the relevant documents had been exchanged and signed between United and Brighton following the agreement.
Final paperwork is now being completed before Baleba is formally unveiled as Michael Carrick’s latest summer signing.
United supporters have been waiting for the announcement since Romano gave Baleba’s £70million move his ‘here we go’ on Friday.
Sky Sports also confirmed the £70million agreement, with Baleba becoming another major addition to Carrick’s rebuilt midfield.
Hull defeat makes Baleba arrival even more significant
The timing will only increase excitement around Baleba’s arrival following United’s disappointing 2-0 defeat against Hull City.
Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos struggled to control the midfield at the MKM Stadium, prompting Jamie Carragher to question whether United had enough athleticism in the position.
Baleba provides a very different profile.
His ability to cover ground and carry the ball from deeper positions could give Carrick another solution alongside Tielemans and Santos once he is available for selection.
There is still no official announcement from Manchester United, so the transfer cannot yet be described as formally completed by the club.
But with the agreement reached, documents signed and Baleba now reported to have passed his medical, only the announcement appears to remain.
