Manchester United has agreed a seventy million pound deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba ahead of their Premier League opener, while Arsenal confirmed the signing of Ezri Konsa for fifty-one million pounds as the August 2026 transfer window enters its final week across Europe.
Manchester United Agrees Deal for Carlos Baleba
Manchester United struck an agreement to sign Brighton’s Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba in a £70 million ($95 million) deal on Friday, according to reports on Friday. The twenty-two-year-old is due to travel to Manchester this weekend to finalise the move.
United boss Michael Carrick has overhauled his midfield since the end of last season, filling the void left by Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s injury with close-season arrivals Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos from Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively. Baleba joined Brighton in 2023 from Lille and made more than 100 appearances for the Seagulls in all competitions, though he was not at his best last season following interest from United, starting only 23 of Brighton’s Premier League games and failing to score.
The move comes as United, who finished third last term, start their Premier League campaign at promoted Hull on Saturday.
Ezri Konsa Joins Arsenal as Mikel Arteta Shapes Squad
Arsenal confirmed the transfer of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa on Friday afternoon for a fee of £51m. The defender has joined the Gunners as their fifth signing of the summer, and he could make his debut against his old club next week.
I know he loves defenders who can really defend and defenders who are calm on the ball. His style suits me so I can't wait to get going,
said Ezri Konsa today when asked about playing under Mikel Arteta and signing for Arsenal.
“It’s a proud moment for me and my family to play for one of the best teams in the world. So yeah, a lot of emotions have gone through my head, but I think it will really kick in on the first matchday. I want to keep winning, [I’m] hungry to win and that’s what I’m here for. I’m here to win. I’ll do everything in my power to continue bringing success to this club,” he added. Meanwhile, Arsenal will sign Igor Tyjon and Manchester United duo Habeeb Ogunneye and James Scanlon after the arrival of Ezri Konsa, while they remain in the race for both Julian Alvarez and Victor Osimhen having also tabled a contract offer to Andria Bartishvili, a player dubbed as the next Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Artetá has long identified the left side attack as a priority position to upgrade, with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr having been the ideal target, though the Brazilian’s decision to stay at the Bernabeu caused Arsenal to reconsider the situation.
Aston Villa Faces Uncertainty Over Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has conceded that Ollie Watkins may become the latest high-profile departure from Villa Park this summer, while confirming that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has requested a transfer. Although Villa turned down four separate offers from Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal for Watkins this week, Emery refused to rule out a potential exit for the England forward, who could join Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Youri Tielemans in departing the club.
With Ezri Konsa’s transfer to Arsenal confirmed on Friday afternoon, Emery acknowledged an “issue” regarding Watkins, noting that a sale remains possible if the financial conditions are suitable. Chelsea are braced for a bid from Aston Villa for Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, as Unai Emery could look to add the 25-year-old Chelsea striker with an offer close to the £65m valuation following a lively World Cup off the back of a disappointing loan spell with Bayern Munich.
Premier League Net Spending Nears Milestone Figures
Premier League spending continues to trundle on, with gross purchases among the 20 clubs nearing the £2.2billion ($3bn) mark, while the total net spend for transfers is above £850million, with all figures coming from Transfermarkt. Recently promoted Ipswich Town and Coventry City have each spent more than £100million net, and with Hull City added, the Premier League’s newest clubs have racked up £330m in gross combined fees on new players.
In Ipswich’s case, Monday’s recruitment of Julio Enciso and Abdoul Ouattara from Strasbourg took spending at Portman Road past the £150million mark, only the second time a club has passed that barrier in the summer following promotion, mirroring Sunderland a year ago. Coventry chairman Doug King noted earlier in the year that Sunderland’s approach was a little bit radical, yet Monday’s signing of Taiwo Awoniyi tipped his own team past the £100million mark via a mix of new and old, with loanees Carl Rushworth and Frank Onyeka moving permanently and Gustavo Hamer returning after a three-season spell with Sheffield United.
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