Liverpool are said to have kept tabs on Brighton & Hove Albion player Carlos Baleba, with the midfielder reported to be a top target this summer.
Arne Slot attempted to sign Martin Zubimendi to play at the base of midfield at the start of 2024-25, but following the failed transfer, the Dutchman opted to use Ryan Gravenberch as his deepest midfielder.
Gravenberch had little experience operating in such a role, but he has excelled alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, helping steer the team to the top of the Premier League table.
However, the only other midfielder that Slot has shown he trusts to consistently start games has been Curtis Jones, and it would be risky to head into 2025-26 with just four players for three spots.
Football Insider claim that Brighton's Baleba is seen as the club's top target in the upcoming transfer window, though they may face some competition from Chelsea for his signature.
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Carlos Baleba: Midfielder assessed
The 21-year-old Cameroon international has featured in 28 of Brighton's 33 games this season, starting 26 times in that period.
Baleba has shown immense quality on the ball, with the player having completed 87.2% of his passes in the Premier League, the most of any Brighton midfielder to have started at least once in the top flight this term.
The Cameroonian has also demonstrated his intelligence and athleticism off the ball, and it should be noted that his tally of 54 tackles in the league is at least 11 more than any of his Seagulls teammates.
There is some concern about whether the midfielder would be ready for a move to a club such as Liverpool given 2024-25 is the first season of Premier League football in which he has started regularly, and he may benefit from ironing out some of his inconsistencies in a less pressurised environment.
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Would Baleba suit Liverpool?
One of Gravenberch's strengths this season has been his ability to cover across to the right side of the pitch and prevent opponents from progressing centrally.
His role at the base of midfield has been particularly demanding as he has had to cover for the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, who have both been criticised at times for their defensive contributions.
Baleba is capable of providing coverage for teammates out of possession, and there is little doubt about his defensive fundamentals.
The arrival of the Brighton midfielder would also allow Gravenberch more freedom in the middle and final thirds, and it would not be surprising if Slot deployed both of them together in a double pivot if he joined the Reds in the summer.
Lewis Nolan
