Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly interested in a Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window.
Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba is reportedly attracting interest from Premier League trio Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 20-year-old spent 18 months in the senior team at Lille before completing a £23m move to Brighton last summer, penning a five-year deal until June 2028.
Baleba was lured to the Seagulls by head coach Roberto De Zerbi following the departures of key midfield duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, who joined Liverpool and Chelsea respectively last summer.
The Cameroonian has since made a total of 33 appearances for Brighton across all competitions, including 14 starts in the Premier League.
Baleba is still adapting to life in the English top flight, but his performances are understood to have caught the eye of a number of top European clubs ahead of the new season.
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Baleba on radar of Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd
According to CaughtOffside, Baleba is on the radar of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United, who are said to be searching for midfield reinforcements this summer.
Although Beleba still has over four years left on his contract at the American Express Stadium, the report adds that Brighton could entertain offers of £55m for the midfielder.
Baleba’s versatility in midfield is thought to appeal to all three clubs, with the youngster capable of operating as a No.6 in a defensive role or further forward as a No.8.
Last month, Baleba acknowledged that he is “very patient” and is “happy” to wait for an extended period of first-team football at Brighton, even though it has been “difficult” to adjust to his current role in 2023-24.
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Is Baleba a leading target for Premier League trio?
Prior to his arrival at Brighton, Baleba was linked with Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United, who are all said to have scouted the midfielder, but the Premier League trio ultimately decided against stepping up their pursuit of the youngster.
Now, Baleba is once again on the radar of all three clubs, but it remains unknown as to whether the Seagulls starlet is placed high on the priority list of those interested in his services.
Amid uncertainty over the futures of Mohamed Elneny, Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe and Charlie Patino, Arsenal have been linked with a plethora of midfielders in recent months, with Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi thought to be among their leading targets at present.
Liverpool are also expected to have a busy summer and discussions over new recruits are set to take place as soon as Arne Slot is confirmed as the club’s new manager.
Man United, meanwhile, are believed to be targeting younger players this summer under new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Baleba could be considered as a replacement for either Christian Eriksen, Sofyan Amrabat or Casemiro who have all be linked with an exit from Old Trafford.