Liverpool are ready to make a big bid to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba in the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Manchester United and Blackburn senior scout Mick Brown, who is still very well-connected in the league and has exclusively told Football Insider that the 21-year-old is their top midfield target.
Brighton are anticipated to demand a large fee to allow their star player leave, but this does not appear to have hindered the Reds’ interest as they plan a summer move.
Liverpool has been looking to enhance its midfield since Arne Slot joined the club, but they have yet to discover a player that fits their desired 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.
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.
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.
“It is not often that Liverpool is in the market for a high-profile star.
“Their recruitment has been strong in the past, with Mac Allister and Szoboszlai joining.
“So I believe they’ll conduct due diligence on Baleba to ensure he’s the proper man.
“We know Brighton will want a high price for him if they let him go, as they have done with players like Caicedo.
“But if Liverpool thinks he’s the right man, which I believe they are, they’ll be willing 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 leads Liverpool’s recruitment strategy ahead of the summer window.
Liverpool has struggled in the transfer market since the arrival of Slot, and last summer’s window saw them fail to reinforce in important areas.
However, the manager has identified key areas of his team that he believes will require investment by the end of the season, and plans are being put in place.
Following Baleba’s announcement as the perfect midfield acquisition, Brown informed Football Insider that Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen is Liverpool’s top centre-back target.
Despite rumors about Virgil van Dijk’s future, Huijsen is regarded as the best choice to play alongside the Liverpool captain, and they are expected to work towards that goal.
