Liverpool are being used to try and tempt Brighton and Hove Albion into signing Lille midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Brighton and Hove Albion see Carlos Baleba as the new Moises Caicedo as links to Liverpool have been played down.
Fabrizio Romano has been discussing the future of Lille midfielder Baleba on YouTube this afternoon.
Romano claims that Brighton and Hove Albion are pressing ahead with a move to sign midfielder Baleba after selling Moises Caicedo to Chelsea.
It’s stated that Brighton’s recruitment team view Baleba as ‘the new Caicedo’ given his huge potential.
Romano reports that Brighton have offered a package worth €20million (£17million) for Baleba, which Lille have rejected.
The Ligue 1 side want around €30million (£26million) for Baleba but Brighton are hoping to strike a deal worth €25million (£21.5million).
Romano then turned his attention to rumours that Liverpool want to sign Baleba.
The Daily Mail reported on Monday that Liverpool have been watching Baleba and the rumours have grown legs from there.
Romano claims that the French press are now running with Baleba to Liverpool in an effort to force Brighton into paying up.
Romano adds that Liverpool are ‘being used’ over every midfielder around as they desperately chase a signing, but the Reds will not panic.
“Let me say, we have something to clarify on Carlos Baleba, this top Cameroonian talent from Lille, a boy that did very well at Lille in the couple of games he played last season,” said Romano.
“Brighton’s recruitment team believe that he is the next Caicedo, the new Caicedo, and this is why Brighton presented a proposal – €17million plus €3million in add-ons. Lille said no, they want €30million. Brighton hope that they can find a common ground for something around €25million, let’s see how the conversation will continue, for sure the next bid will include add-ons but work in progress for Baleba to Brighton.”
“We had rumours today about Liverpool, what I’m hearing is that this is something that is probably coming from French press just to put some pressure on Brighton. Brighton remain, at the moment, the favourites, Brighton remain in control, the player wants to go to Brighton and Liverpool now are being used by many media on every single midfielder in the world.”
“Liverpool will not panic. Of course it’s not an easy moment for them and it is understandable after what happened with Caicedo, but Liverpool will not panic. They did excellent business with Szoboszlai and Mac Allister – two fantastic signings. It was a complicated week, yes, but now Liverpool will sign the player they want in that position. Step-by-step, they will complete their market,” he added.
Who is Liverpool-linked Carlos Baleba?
Baleba hails from Douala in Cameroon and started his career in the École de Football des Brasseries du Cameroun academy.
Lille spotted Baleba’s talent and brought him over to France in January 2022 despite interest from elsewhere.
Baleba emerged into the first-team picture last season, recording 21 appearances in all competitions.
The teenager is still raw but showed the ability to break up play and carry the ball forward, so you can understand the Caicedo comparison to an extent.
Baleba looks to huge potential and that’s exactly the kind of player Brighton like to sign.
Liverpool have missed out on both Caicedo and Romeo Lavia but it looks like Baleba won’t become their top alternative if Romano is to be believed.
The post 'We have something to clarify': Romano reacts to rumours Liverpool now want 'the new Caicedo' appeared first on HITC.
from HITC https://ift.tt/IgmKyqJ
No comments: