Liverpool’s interest in midfielder could solve Gravenberch problem

Liverpool are reportedly critically serious about Carlos Baleba, in accordance with Mark Brus.

The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder is believed to be attracting appreciable consideration from a handful of soccer’s heavyweights, together with Manchester United and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

Liverpool maintain ‘critical curiosity’ in Carlos Baleba

Brus now stories that curiosity in Baleba continues to warmth up forward of a hotly anticipated ‘potential big-money transfer’.

“The January switch window is now open and I’ve had a variety of messages to wade by about one participant particularly,” the CaughtOffside editor wrote for the Each day Briefing.

“That participant, a reputation who’s been on everybody’s lips for months now ever since a summer season switch saga didn’t materialise into something concrete, is attracting critical curiosity from Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich forward of a possible big-money transfer.

“I’m speaking, after all, about Carlos Baleba.

“Brighton are effectively conscious of sturdy curiosity of their gifted younger midfielder, even when he’s seen as having suffered a slight dip in kind this season.”

With a contract on the time set to run out in three years (summer season of 2028), it ought to come as no shock that the Seagulls have been holding agency on a price ticket exceeding the £100m mark.

May Liverpool signal Baleba in the summertime?

With this a lot cash probably on the desk, it’s truthful to imagine that this can be a deal that may, and almost certainly will, wait till the following summer season switch window.

Certainly, this has already been confirmed by Mark Brus’ nameless supply: “There are groups who would ideally deliver him on this January, however the message is that that gained’t be attainable. Nobody realistically expects him to remain past the summer season, although.”

The query stays, nevertheless, as as to if this can be a deal price Liverpool’s whereas.

It gained’t have escaped anybody’s discover that Arne Slot would favor to push Ryan Gravenberch greater up the pitch.

Signing a box-to-box/holding midfielder hybrid in Carlos Baleba would, theoretically, make that dream a actuality for Liverpool’s quantity 38.

The place is Baleba’s finest place?

Again in the beginning of April within the 2024/25 season, the Brighton star had all of the hallmarks of a cellular, trendy quantity six.

Opta Analyst discovered he was amongst the highest midfielders (rating seventh amongst positional friends) within the Premier League for possession regains (6.5 per 90).

Much like Gravenberch, after all, Baleba additionally excels on the ball, proving greater than adept at receiving possession beneath strain earlier than bursting off and showcasing his ball-carrying potential.

Carlos Baleba stats (2024/25)
Carlos Baleba stats (2025/26)

Profitable dribbles
1.11
0.7

Profitable dribble %
62.3%
58.3%

Interceptions
1.55
1.5

Recoveries
6.64
5.08

Duels gained
6.71
4.88

Duels gained %
55.4%
46.2%

* Carlos Baleba’s stats within the Premier League (Fotmob)

Efficiency ranges have considerably dipped this time period, although some inconsistency at this stage is definitely to be anticipated of a 22-year-old midfielder in his third season of Premier League soccer.

However, after all, it’s one other probably seismic price Liverpool can be anticipated to fork out for a prime younger expertise.

That mentioned, if Richard Hughes and our recruitment group do have their hearts set on Carlos Baleba, he can be well-advised to heed the recommendation of his compatriot, Bernard Tchoutang.

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