Brighton have agreed a £70million deal to sell Carlos Baleba to Manchester United just two days before Aston Villa visit the Amex Stadium for their Premier League opener.
Baleba had already been ruled out of Sunday’s fixture through injury, but his Brighton career is now approaching its conclusion altogether.
Sky Sports reports that Manchester United will pay £65million guaranteed plus another £5million in add-ons, with Brighton also securing a sell-on clause.
The 22-year-old is expected to undergo his United medical within the next 24 hours before signing a five-year contract.
Carlos Baleba set for Brighton exit before Aston Villa clash
The development completes a remarkable change in Brighton’s midfield situation ahead of Sunday’s game.
Read Aston Villa reported earlier this week that Baleba was facing uncertainty before the Villa fixture because of an ankle injury and Manchester United’s growing transfer interest.
Brighton have since confirmed he will not feature against Unai Emery’s side.
Now an agreement has been reached for his permanent departure.
The £70million package represents a major sale for Brighton, who signed Baleba from Lille in 2023.
The Cameroon international made 112 appearances for the club and had developed into one of their most valuable midfield assets.
His absence leaves Fabian Hürzeler preparing for Villa without an important source of athleticism and ball-carrying power in central midfield.
Brighton midfield changes before Aston Villa
Baleba is not Brighton’s only major absentee.
Pascal Groß and Yasin Ayari are among the players who could now form Hürzeler’s central midfield against Villa.
Brighton also enter the fixture following a demanding European assignment.
They were held 0-0 by Tromsø on Thursday despite registering 25 shots.
Villa have significant squad issues of their own, but the picture facing Emery has become increasingly clear.
Baleba will not be lining up against them on Sunday and, barring a late complication, his next Premier League appearance will come in Manchester United colours.
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