Manchester United are reportedly closing in on a move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba as Michael Carrick adds to his midfield department.

According to The Athletic, United have made an offer to Brighton of around £60 million plus a further £5 million in add-ons, which sits a little below what the Seagulls would be willing to sell for.

However, the report also states that amicable talks are set to continue between all parties in order to find an agreement.

With United having already signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, Baleba would become the third midfielder to join the club this summer.

The news comes as somewhat of a surprise, considering that the Cameroon international suffered an ankle ligament injury earlier in the summer during pre-season training.

While initial fears were that the injury would keep the player out for a significant part of last season, according to MailSport, it became apparent in recent weeks that the injury was not as serious as initially thought.

This led United to resume talks with Brighton, with the two clubs now closing in on a £65 million deal that will see the 22-year-old make a dream move to Old Trafford.

Baleba is now expected to be fit to make his debut toward the end of September, which is a major boost to Carrick's Reds.

If a deal for Baleba can be finalised, his style of play is a perfect complement to the technical prowess of United's other midfielders.

Tielemans and Santos are very pass-first and ball-to-feet players, while Kobbie Mainoo is a brilliant dribbler, but what all three are lacking is the ability to move aroundt he pitch at high speed and strong-arm the ball from opposition.

A common theme among analysts has been that United's midfield, while technically great, lacks proper physical presence, but Baleba's transfer would change that completely.

The Cameroon star is brilliant at eating up ground and winning his duels, providing a combative style that United have lost with Casemiro's departure. If he can find consistency and rhythm, he could be a world-beating signing.