Manchester United have agreed a deal with Brighton to sign Carlos Baleba, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Red Devils have been pushing to rebuild their midfield all summer, with the Cameroon international a leading target since last summer, when they agreed personal terms to bring him to Old Trafford.

A deal never materialised then, with Brighton demanding a fee in excess of £100m at the time, but after a disappointing individual campaign, and with the player desperate to make the switch, they have now agreed a deal worth much less.

According to Romano, Man Utd have agreed a deal for Baleba to finally make the switch, joining Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans as new additions in midfield for Michael Carrick.

The 22-year-old will now travel for a medical at Carrington before putting pen to paper on a long-term contract with the 20-time English champions, as they look to win their first Premier League title since 2013.

Man Utd chiefs are understood to believe that Baleba could be a transformative signing for the club’s midfield, and he will now compete alongside the two new signings, Mason Mount, and Kobbie Mainoo for a starting spot in the heart of the team.

A verbal agreement is now in place between the two clubs, after United send a new bid following their £65m bid being rejected.

When Could Baleba Make His Man Utd Debut?

Baleba is ready to join Man Utd in the coming days, but he is unlikely to be able to make his debut straight away after he suffered an ankle ligament injury during pre-season.

The injury was initially expected to keep him sidelined for a while, but it’s understood that the problem is not as bad as originally feared, and he should be able to return to action in September.

United will take on Hull, Ipswich, Everton, Man City, and Fulham before the international break, and will hope that Baleba is able to return before then.

Toni Kroos doesn’t think Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi should win the Ballon d’Or this year because of their ‘average’ seasons at the club level.

Mbappe and Messi were at the top of their game at this summer’s World Cup, going toe-to-toe in the Golden Boot race. They starred for their nations, with France losing to eventual winners Spain in the semi-finals, who also defeated Argentina in the final.

The attacking duo earned plaudits throughout the tournament in which Mbappe pipped Messi at the top of the goalscoring ranks. The Real Madrid forward bagged 10 goals while the Inter Miami star finished with eight.

Kroos on Ballon d’Or: Surprise Name Beats Mbappe and Messi

Left: REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

Right: REUTERS/Lee Smith

Mbappe failed to get his hands on the World Cup for the second time in his career after Madrid’s disappointing season. The 27-year-old’s club finished the campaign trophyless for just the sixth time in the 21st century.

Messi also missed out on glory as his nation lost its crown in bitter fashion, and speculation is growing over his future in the sport. The 39-year-old did get his hands on silverware with Inter Miami, captaining the Herons to the MLS Cup back in December.

While the pair are considered contenders in the race for the Ballon d’Or, Kroos has ruled both of them out along with England’s World Cup hero Jude Bellingham and Barcelona’s new boy Rodri. He believes the award should go to a Champions League winner:

“The Ballon d’Or should go to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. He probably won’t win but he’s the number one without hesitation. The best World Cup players: Messi, Jude (Bellingham), Mbappe, Rodri had average club seasons. Kvara was the best player from currently the best club in the world.”

Kroos’ comments are bound to set tongues wagging, given Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wasn’t even at the World Cup after Georgia failed to qualify. He stayed at home while his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Fabian Ruiz became a world champion.

Kvaratskhelia’s absence during the tournament will harm his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or. He wasn’t able to showcase his world-class ability on the biggest stage in football.

That said, Kvaratskhelia enjoyed yet another stellar season at the Parc des Princes, helping Enrique’s side win the continental treble. The 25-year-old winger flourished and proved his worth as one of, if not the best, left-wingers in world football.

Kroos Not The Only One Backing Kvaratskhelia

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place in London this year and we will find out who is deemed the best player in the world on October 26th. If history repeats itself, it will be either a World Cup winner or a Champions League winner who earns football’s most prestigious individual award.

Kvaratskhelia certainly has support and Unai Emery, like Kroos, reckons he deserves to finish at the top of the podium. The Aston Villa boss said ahead of his side’s UEFA Super Cup defeat to PSG:

​”Kvaratskhelia is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or in my opinion. He is fantastic… Of course, his impact was fantastic two years ago at Napoli and now at PSG. He was one of the best players who was not at the World Cup, and he is fit. The decision isn’t mine, but I think he can win this trophy.”

AC Milan legend Clarence Seedorf echoed Emery’s stance on the Georgian with a massive endorsement:

“Kvaratskhelia is the best player in the world and he’s only going to get better. … He carries the team in certain moments so I like his intelligence. He’s unbelievable.”

As for Kvaratskhelia’s own manager, Enrique has given his own verdict and believes another PSG star should be crowned the Ballon d’Or winner. It’s proving to be one of the toughest races to call in years, given the lack of Parisian representation in Spain’s World Cup-winning team.

A certified journeyman and centre forward, Zlatan Ibrahimovic terrorised defences throughout Europe from 2001, when he joined Ajax, until 2023, when he finally called time on his career and hung up his boots as one of the most potent number 9s in football history.

Armed with outstanding technical ability and an imposing physical presence, the former Juventus, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain striker rarely struggled for consistency – although a select group of defenders were able to make life particularly difficult for him during his peak years. In fact, he once revealed the four toughest opponents he encountered during his career.

Overlooking the likes of Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Sergio Ramos in the process, the legendary Swede, according to SempreMilan, said in an interview with Corriere TV in 2021: “There are many, if one played in Italy, he played against many strong defenders.”

Thiago Silva

PSG, Chelsea, Fluminense, AC Milan, Porto

Action Images/Carl Recine via Reuters

Let’s start with the former Chelsea stalwart. Thiago Silva was a defender who seemed to improve with age, and Zlatan was full of praise for the Brazilian after sharing the pitch with him in the French capital. In Ibrahimovic’s eyes, Silva could handle practically every aspect of defending, from progressing the ball through the lines to organising the defence with his wealth of experience.

A 113-cap Brazil international born in Rio de Janeiro, Silva may not have possessed the same attacking flair as Ronaldinho or Kaka, but his understanding of the defensive side of the game was reminiscent of the composed and assured Lucio.

Ibrahimovic, 44, and Silva, 41, shared the pitch 195 times for PSG and AC Milan. The experienced centre-back is also still playing in his homeland for Fluminense after leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2024.

Paolo Maldini

AC Milan

As Ibrahimovic mentioned, Italian football became synonymous with the art of catenaccio – a defensive approach centred on organisation, close marking and sweeping. It was a system that Paolo Maldini and his fellow defenders mastered.

The former Italy international, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, demonstrated just how disciplined he was when he famously argued that needing to tackle was evidence of a mistake having already been made.

Maldini could operate at centre-back or on the left side of a back four, with his remarkably versatile skillset making him indispensable to the Rossoneri during his 901-game spell at the club. Few players are as closely associated with the red and black of AC Milan as the legendary defender.

Alessandro Nesta

AC Milan, Lazio, Montreal, Chennaiyin

Maldini’s long-time defensive partner, Alessandro Nesta, is sometimes overlooked when discussions turn to the greatest centre-backs ever, yet his long stride, reading of the game and positioning made him a nightmare for opposing forwards.

A naturally gifted defender, few players were as committed to mastering the defensive arts as the stylish Italian. At his peak, Nesta was capable of shutting down even the most dangerous strikers, particularly those competing in Serie A.

Defending was not the only part of his game, either. Nesta could step forward from the back line and influence proceedings in the final third for AC Milan, whether through a defence-splitting pass or a progressive run. He was an elite defender in every sense of the word, and players of his ilk are increasingly rare.

Jaap Stam

Man Utd, PSV Eindhoven, Lazio, AC Milan, Ajax

Few defenders were as imposing as Jaap Stam. The former Manchester United, Lazio and AC Milan centre-back intimidated opponents during his prime. Despite his considerable frame, Stam was also remarkably agile and mobile for a player of his stature.

Regarded as one of the most intimidating players in Premier League history, his commanding presence is still remembered at Old Trafford. There is little doubt that a defender of Stam’s calibre could thrive in almost any generation of football.

His ability to establish such a formidable reputation during a relatively short but hugely successful spell with the Red Devils says plenty about his quality. Powerful in the air and on the ground, while also comfortable with the ball at his feet, the Dutchman was a truly exceptional physical specimen.

Giorgio Chiellini

Juventus, US Livorno, Los Angeles, Fiorentina

It should come as little surprise that Ibrahimovic also selected another Italian, this time a genuine Juventus icon. When supporters picture the black and white colours of the Bianconeri, the imposing Giorgio Chiellini is one of the first names that comes to mind – often sporting his trademark head bandage, as seen above.

Born in Pisa, Chiellini spent most of his career in Turin between 2005 and 2022. He also represented AS Livorno, Fiorentina and Los Angeles FC before retiring in January 2024 as one of the greatest one-footed players in history.

His domestic honours are equally impressive, including nine Serie A titles and five Italian Cups, while Italy’s Euro 2024 success arguably provided the crowning achievement of a career in which he represented his country across multiple generations.

All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 21-08-26.