Man Utd CONFIRM £70million Carlos Baleba transfer from Brighton as Seagulls insert genius contract clause

MANCHESTER UNITED have announced the £70million signing of Carlos Baleba from Brighton. The Cameroon international, 22, has penned a five-year deal at Old Trafford with the option of a further 12 months. Carlos Baleba signed a five-year contract to complete his transfer to Manchester United Credit: Getty He posed for photos with Director of Football Jason Wilcox Credit: Getty Carlos Baleba made 35 goalless appearances for Brighton last season Credit: Getty Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos have already been brought in to bolster Man Utd’s midfield Credit: Getty And his arrival for £65m plus £5m in add-ons should round off the Red Devils’ relentless midfield spending spree. United bosses had already splurged £50m on Andrey Santos from Chelsea and £35m on Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! But they wanted a third to sure up Michael Carrick‘s squad after Casemiro‘s move to Inter Miami and Manuel Ugarte‘s long-term knee injury. And they teased the announcement with a tweet at 4.30pm on Tuesday. The club simply wrote: “#areyouareabaleba” which sent United fans into ecstasy. They then replied to their own post with a video of Baleba in the red home shirt saying: “Hi, I’m a Baleba.” The official confirmation of the deal, including photos of the midfielder putting pen to paper, dropped at 4.45pm. Baleba said: “It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK “Playing at Old Trafford is always special but the opportunity to do so as a Manchester United player will be a real honour. “I cannot wait to work with Michael Carrick – his experience and knowledge of the game make him the perfect coach to help me to reach the highest level. “The ambition of everyone at the club is extremely clear, the future is hugely exciting, and I am determined to play my part in delivering the success that we are capable of together.” Jason Wilcox, director of football, added: “Carlos is an elite midfielder with immense potential to develop further. “He brings a unique combination of qualities that will really complement our squad. “We are delighted to further strengthen our midfield with the addition of another established senior international with a proven track record of performing in the Premier League. “Carlos’ determination to join Manchester United and his confidence that we will achieve our shared ambitions mean that he is the perfect signing as we continue to build a dynamic and entertaining team ready to compete across multiple competitions.” The fact the Red Devils have almost halved the £120m price tag they were quoted for Baleba last summer will come as some relief. Michael Carrick’s United faced Baleba’s Brighton on the final day of last season Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Brighton have covered their backs by inserting a sell-on clause which could bump up their earnings from the deal if United cash in down the line. Last season was not the youngster’s finest on the South Coast as he managed only 35 goalless appearances in all competitions. But United were long-standing admirers of Baleba, and they hope he can compete with Santos, Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo for the two deep-lying midfield spots in Carrick’s starting line-up. The new recruit can also play at left-back, where United may need cover for Luke Shaw during a long season of domestic and European football. Baleba has been nursing an ankle injury and is not expected to return until mid-September. He scored four times in 112 appearances for Brighton after they snapped him up from Lille as a 19-year-old for £23.2m. Hos last appearance for the Seagulls, ironically, came against Carrick’s United on the final day of last season. Comment now