Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Brighton and Hove Albion are in talks with Lille OSC over the transfer of Cameroonian midfielder Carlos Baleba (19).
Baleba started Lille’s opening game of the season against OGC Nice on Friday. The academy product started alongside Benjamin André as Les Dogues salvaged a late draw against Les Aiglons. However, his long-term future may not lie at Lille. According to Romano, Brighton have opened talks to sign the midfielder, whose contract with Lille runs until the summer of 2026. The Italian journalist describes the deal as “not easy,” but Brighton appreciate Baelba’s talent, and see the player as part of their present and future.
Brighton are in the market for a holding midfielder, given Moises Caicedo’s impending transfer to Chelsea FC. After a protracted, summer-long saga, the Ecuadorian international will garner a £115m transfer fee – a British record. With negotiations for Baleba now underway, Brighton may spend a portion of that by reinvesting in the Cameroonian midfielder.
READ MORE: Brighton began their new season with a thumping 4-1 win over Premier League new boys Luton Town, but as much focus was paid to outgoing midfielder Moises Caicedo over the weekend as it was to the Seagulls players who remaining.
De Roberto Zerbi wants to bring in a direct replacement for Moises Caicedo despite an impressive display from his midfielders on Saturday.
Pascal Gross and Mahmoud Dahoud, the summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, impressed as Luton were soundly beaten. But De Zerbi still wants to add the physicality his side will lose if — or rather when — Caicedo’s exit is finally resolved.
De Zerbi said: “We need another midfielder if Caicedo leaves. And for me he can leave. We need another midfielder with the same characteristics and the same importance because in the Premier League
He added: “It is right because time-wasting last year was a bad thing to watch the game for 90 minutes if you play 43 minutes, it’s not a good thing for football and the fans.
“Sometimes we will play and win, sometimes we will lose, it won’t change for me, but for the fans who paid for their tickets, yes [it changes].”
Seagulls skipper Lewis Dunk was hard done by when referee David Coote gave a penalty against him for handball after Jacob Brown’s cross scratched his back on the way to hitting his trailing arm.
Dunk said: “I’m actually not too sure [what happened]. I’ve just gone to block the cross. I don’t know where… maybe chop my arms off or something. It’s one of those but thankfully we won in the end.”
in midfield positions sometimes you need more kilograms, more impact.”
Caicedo’s energy would be missed by any team, especially with more stoppage-time than ever this season. Some managers and players are upset about the new rule that creates it, but not De Zerbi.
Dunk insists there’s no additional pressure on Brighton this season after the success they enjoyed last time out in qualifying for the Europa League.
