The club confirmed the 65 million pound deal on Tuesday. Alejandro Balde was left out of Barcelona's squad while Manchester United monitor him, and Lewis Hall has been parked to next summer.
Manchester United confirmed the signing of Carlos Baleba from Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday 25 August. The fee is 65 million pounds plus 5 million in possible add-ons, per the Associated Press, on a five-year contract with an option for a sixth year. "It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams," Baleba said in the announcement, carried by the Associated Press and ESPN. He is the third midfield signing of the window, after Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.
What remains open is the left-back position, and the live name is Alejandro Balde. Barcelona left him out of their squad for Sunday's 5-0 win over Elche, and Hansi Flick said he told the Spain international it was better that he "cleared his mind" amid transfer speculation. ESPN's sources report that Manchester United are monitoring Balde and have held talks with his agent Jorge Mendes, and that Flick wants a face-to-face meeting with the player before any decision on his future. Fabrizio Romano has also reported the Mendes contact.
No fee is agreed anywhere. Barcelona value Balde at around 30 million pounds and do not want another loan, per football365 and TeamTalk, while Manchester United would prefer a temporary deal. No bid has been reported by any named source, and this desk records the whole file as REPORTED rather than agreed.
The Lewis Hall route has closed for this window. David Ornstein reports a move now looks unlikely, with Newcastle United holding their player, and football365 reports that Manchester United plan to return for Hall next summer. Ben Jacobs says he stands by his information that Hall is a target.
Michael Carrick has said Manchester United will stay active to deadline day. That is Tuesday 1 September, six days away.
Sources: Manchester United's confirmation as reported by the Associated Press via The Washington Post, 25 August 2026 (fee structure, contract length, the Baleba quote); ESPN, 25 August 2026 (confirmation of the signing; the Balde monitoring, the Jorge Mendes talks and the Flick meeting, attributed to ESPN's sources); ESPN and Barcelona's post-match coverage, 23 to 25 August 2026 (Balde left out against Elche, Flick's "cleared his mind" line); football365 and TeamTalk, 25 August 2026 (Barcelona's 30 million pound valuation, the no-loan stance, the plan to revisit Lewis Hall next summer); David Ornstein via Yahoo Sports, 25 August 2026 (a Hall move this window unlikely); Ben Jacobs (stands by Hall as a target); Yahoo Sports and FootballTransfers (Carrick on staying active to 1 September).
