Brighton may have found their replacement for the outgoing Moises Caicedo – in Lille midfielder Carlos Baleba.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Brighton have already agreed personal terms for the 19-year-old, and have submitted an opening bid in excess of €16m, including various add-ons.
This bid is expected to be rejected, however, with the French club holding out for €30m but a deal could be struck for less, according to Fabrice Hawkins.
Baleba is expected to replace the outgoing Moises Caicedo, who is expected to leave for Liverpool or Chelsea this week.
Who is Carlos Baleba?
Carlos Baleba is a 19-year-old Cameroonian midfielder who plays for Lille and broke through last season and ended last season having made 19 appearances, with five of those being starts.
He joined Lille in January 2022 from the Brasseries du Cameroun academy, with Lille managing to sign him amid a lot of European interest at the time.
Baleba is predominantly a defensive midfielder but can play in a box-to-box role as well. He was in the top 1% in Ligue 1 last season for blocks per 90 with 2.45, and in the top 4% for tackles won per 90, with 2.07.
He is also however a really progressive and dynamic midfielder, with excellent stamina and dribbling skills. This is shown with him being in the top 3% for progressive carrying distance per 90, top 6% for total carrying distance per 90, and top 14% for carries per 90.
From all this, we can gather that he definitely fits the bill for what Brighton would like in the player they need to replace Caicedo with. The finances of the deal should not be too much of a problem given the amount of money the Seagulls are going to receive for Caicedo.