Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly set to sign LOSC Lille midfielder Carlos Baleba, with Liverpool missing out on the 19-year-old talent.
According to TalkSport, the Seagulls are closing in on the teenager’s signature as a replacement for Moises Caicedo, a player who Liverpool missed out on signing this summer.
As per the report, Brighton will pay Lille £25m for Baleba, with Liverpool linked with the youngster as an alternative for Caicedo, who joined Chelsea for a British record fee.
Regarded as one of the most exciting talents in all of France, Brighton moving for Baleba will naturally raise some eyebrows given how incredible the south coast side are at picking up undiscovered gems.
Caicedo himself joined from the Ecuador top-flight with Brighton since making signings from the likes of Paraguay and Sweden, with Baleba now joining from Lille.
Indeed, Liverpool will be annoyed that Brighton have now beaten them to Baleba, with the odds of the teenager becoming the next big thing extremely high given the Seagulls’ record.
Liverpool could soon have to pay £100m+ for Baleba
Given the nature of Brighton’s transfer strategy, there’s a good chance that Baleba will soon be on every top Premier League side’s radar in the next 12 months, with Liverpool already interested in the midfielder.
Moreover, with midfielders now the new superstar signings clubs are looking to make, Baleba could be worth over £100m if the youngster settles in the Premier League at Brighton.
With Liverpool missing out on the teenager, there’s every chance that the Reds will soon be quoted a massive fee for Baleba, especially if the youngster succeeds Caicedo effortlessly this season.
