Sources: Brighton finalise €30m deal for Caicedo replacement after Nottingham Forest snub
TEAMtalk understands that Brighton have finalised a deal with French side Lille for highly-rated midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Sources have told us that the deal was agreed on Monday afternoon with Seagulls sporting director David Weir sealing the move which is worth €30million.
We understand that Baleba has opted for Brighton ahead of rival clubs such as Nottingham Forest, whilst Brentford and Palace have also showed interest in the player.
Baleba is the latest midfielder to reject Forest, with the club also looking like failing with moves for Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana and Benfica’s Florentino Luis.
The 19-year-old is being viewed as a direct replacement for new Chelsea arrival Moises Caicedo despite his tender age.
Baleba, who has also been of interest to Liverpool, has only made 35 senior appearances in his club career, having burst into the scene last season.
The teenager is known to have a tremendous engine and passing ability and is capable as playing as a defensive midfielder or moving forward into a box-to-box role.
If he arrives in time, Baleba could make his Brighton debut in Saturday evening’s Premier League clash with West Ham on the south coast.
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TEAMtalk understands that Brighton have finalised a deal with French side Lille for highly-rated midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Sources have told us that the deal was agreed on Monday afternoon with Seagulls sporting director David Weir sealing the move which is worth €30million.
We understand that Baleba has opted for Brighton ahead of rival clubs such as Nottingham Forest, whilst Brentford and Palace have also showed interest in the player.
The 19-year-old is being viewed as a direct replacement for new Chelsea arrival Moises Caicedo despite his tender age.
Baleba, who has also been of interest to Liverpool, has only made 35 senior appearances in his club career, having burst into the scene last season.
The teenager is known to have a tremendous engine and passing ability and is capable as playing as a defensive midfielder or moving forward into a box-to-box role.
