Liverpool interested in former Man Utd target after Caicedo REJECTION

Cameron Smith

15 Aug 2023 16:07 BST
4 min read

Liverpool are one of several clubs interested in signing Lille midfielder Carlos Baleba, who is on Brighton & Hove Albion’s radar as they look to replace Moises Caicedo.

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The Seagulls have seen both Alexis Mac Allister and Caicedo depart this window, with the latter’s departure confirmed on Monday.

The Ecuadorian has joined Chelsea for a British transfer record fee of €133 million (£115m), although the Blues will pay €116m (£100m) up-front, with the rest of the total coming via achievable add-ons.

MORE: Who is Carlos Baleba?

Caicedo rejected Liverpool in order to join Chelsea after the Reds had agreed a deal with Brighton last week. However, the 21-year-old only wanted to join the Blues and cited Claude Makelele and N’Golo Kante as key reasons for that decision in his first Chelsea interview.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side could also sign Romeo Lavia this week, but Liverpool remain in the hunt for the Southampton man, with the transfer saga taking multiple twists and turns in recent days.

Following Caicedo’s rejection, The Daily Mail have reported that Liverpool are one of many clubs interested in Lille star Baleba. AC Milan, Juventus, Monaco and Newcastle have also been keeping tabs on the midfielder, with the Reds set to face major competition if they move for the 19-year-old.

Furthermore, in June, Lille-based newspaper La Voix du Nord reported that Man Utd intended to table an offer worth just shy of €30m (£25m) for Baleba. That didn't transpire, however, and they ended up signing Mason Mount from Chelsea.

MORE: Man Utd eyeing Lille's Baleba

Liverpool have lost Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita this summer, but have only signed the aforementioned Mac Allister and Domink Szoboszlai as midfield reinforcements.

As a result, they remain in the hunt for a defensive midfielder to bolster their squad. However, Baleba could be on his way to join Brighton.

Baleba to Brighton?

The Seagulls, who are led by the highly-rated Roberto De Zerbi, are in discussions with Lille regarding the 19-year-old central midfielder, according to the Daily Mail, and the club are lining up the Cameroonian to replace Caicedo, as per TalkSPORT.

The Daily Mail have revealed that Brighton are offering €17.5m (£15m) plus add-ons for Baleba, who has three years left on his Lille deal.

The midfielder has made 22 senior appearances for Lille, contributing two assists, and a talent-spotter in northern France told Brighton-based newspaper The Argus: “He [Baleba] is a top talent. A lot better than [Yves] Bissouma at the same age.”

Brighton have raised over €200m through player sales in 2023, with Caicedo, Mac Allister, Leandro Trossard and Robert Sanchez among those to leave.