Liverpool are prepared to make a mega-money offer to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba in the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 21-year-old has emerged as their top target to strengthen in midfield.
Brighton are expected to demand a huge fee to let their star man leave, but that is not thought to have deterred the Reds’ interest as they line up a summer move.
Liverpool have been keen to strengthen in midfield since Arne Slot arrived at the club, but have so far been unable to find a player who fits their ideal profile.
Now, Baleba has been identified as the standout option for the position thanks to his performances under Fabian Hurzeler so far this season.
Brighton have previously held out for huge fees for the likes of Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Ben White, and plan to do so again with the sale of Baleba.
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Brown warned that large transfer fees often carry added danger, but backed Liverpool’s transfer team to make the right move after multiple scouting missions.
Photo Credit: Imago
The Brighton midfielder’s ability to carry the ball forward, as well as his range of passing and physical attributes, have pushed him to the top of Liverpool’s list of targets.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted Baleba would be a good fit for Slot’s side if they can pull of a move when the window opens.
“I like him as a player, he’s very talented,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s got a bit of something about him as well, and I think there’s more to come from him.
“I think he’d be a good fit for Liverpool because he’s not afraid to get on the ball and move with it, or to find those passes out wide we see them play so often to find the likes of Salah.
“It’s not very often Liverpool are in the buying market for a big-money player.
“Their recruitment has been strong in the past with the likes of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai coming in.
“So I think they’ll be doing their due diligence on Baleba to make sure he’s the right man.
“We know Brighton will hold out for mega-money for him if they’re going to let him go, like they have done before with players like Caicedo.
“But if Liverpool feel he is the right man, and I think they do, they’ll be prepared to make it happen.
“He’s a player I like and I think would be a good fit there, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see that happen.”
Arne Slot doing a Liverpool press conference
Liverpool boss Arne Slot is prepared to bring in new players in the summer.
Arne Slot leading Liverpool recruitment plans ahead of summer window
Liverpool have struggled in the transfer market since the arrival of Slot, with last summer’s window seeing them fail to strengthen in key areas
However, the manager has now identified key areas of his squad which he feels will need investment come the end of the season, and plans are being put in place.
After Baleba was earmarked as the ideal midfield addition, Brown told Football Insider that Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen is Liverpool’s top centre-back target.
Despite speculation over the future of Virgil van Dijk, Huijsen is viewed as the ideal option to play alongside the Liverpool captain and they are now expected to work towards that end.
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