Liverpool to FINALLY spend Caicedo money on another midfielder

Liverpool got involved in a high-profile transfer fight for Moises Caicedo back in summer 2023. The Ecuador international ultimately went to Chelsea when he left Brighton with Liverpool instead replenishing the midfield with several other signings.

Jurgen Klopp was reluctant - but willing - to cross the £100 million mark for Caicedo and ultimately came up empty-handed.

The 23-year-old has subsequently failed to set the world alight at Stamford Bridge while Liverpool’s midfield rejig has led them to the top of the Premier League this term.

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There is no doubt that signing Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo has proven to be a better use of the money long-term.

But according to the latest reports, Liverpool could be tempted to go back to Brighton for ANOTHER £100m midfielder. And this one has been told to turn down Chelsea in favour of a move to Anfield.

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Carlos Baleba, 21, joined the Seagulls as Caicedo’s replacement back in 2023 and has gone on to establish himself as one of the best all-round midfielders in the Premier League.

The Cameroon international has attracted the attention of all the top English clubs over the course of the last 18 months and has been tipped to move on this summer.

Liverpool tipped for Baleba deal

Liverpool have been named among the interested parties - alongside Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, with the Reds finally ready to splash Caicedo-like cash on a Brighton midfield metronome.

It's been suggested that Brighton might well start the bidding at over £100m.

“The transfer figures don’t concern him,” former Cameroon international Bernard Tchoutang recently told Africa Foot. “He’s got a good head on his shoulders, he’s very well looked after, especially by his parents, and I don’t think he’ll be disturbed by these very high sums.

“The question is whether he’s ready to leave next summer for a big club. But this is his second season in England and if the best clubs in the country are interested in him, it is because they believe he has the level.”

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Brighton paid around £23m for Baleba back in 2023 in order to secure his signature from Ligue 1 side Lille. And having proven himself capable of handling the rigours of the Premier League, he is precisely the kind of midfield player who could improve the options at Arne Slot’s disposal.

“Baleba is a very complete player, very modern,” Tchoutang said. “He is a box to box midfielder. He doesn't just do defensive work. He also makes an important contribution in the offensive phases.

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"He knows how to recover the ball, he has excellent passing quality, he is powerful, good in duels, a good dribbler and he also knows how to score goals. Baleba is capable of breaking the lines and he has a very good vision of the game.”

Liverpool have relied heavily on a core of four midfielders this season - Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones. Meanwhile, Wataru Endo has only played very few minutes in his appearances thus far.

Baleba could provide added competition across the midfield and help take Liverpool under Slot to the next level.

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