Liverpool supporters are no strangers to seeing their team linked with top talents, but the latest reports have sparked both excitement and debate. Under new boss Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes, the Reds are now eyeing Brighton’s rising midfield star Carlos Baleba — a player who could command a staggering £100 million fee in the 2026 transfer window. The number is eye-catching, but when you look closely at the situation, it’s easy to see why both Liverpool and Manchester United are circling.
Baleba isn’t just another young prospect. Since joining Brighton, he has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s most talked-about midfielders — powerful, athletic, technically sharp, and fearless in duels. At just 21, his potential seems limitless. Once again, Brighton have unearthed a gem, following the path of Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, who both became stars before securing massive moves.
Unsurprisingly, the Seagulls are bracing for another transfer storm. United pursued Baleba in the summer but fell short, and that saga has already weighed on the player’s mind. Manager Fabian Hürzeler even admitted after a match against Spurs that speculation was affecting him — confirmation that the transfer chatter is real and unsettling.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are stepping up their scouting efforts. Former United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown revealed that the Reds have been carefully monitoring Baleba, compiling detailed reports on his strengths, weaknesses, and mentality under pressure. Slot and Hughes prefer meticulous planning over knee-jerk moves, and Baleba fits the mold of the energetic, tactically disciplined midfielders Slot thrives on.
Adding intrigue, Baleba’s family have reportedly visited both Liverpool and United, with sources claiming they were particularly impressed by Anfield’s facilities and atmosphere. Family influence often weighs heavily on career decisions, potentially giving Liverpool an early edge.
Brighton, of course, will not sell cheaply. The price could exceed £100m, putting Baleba among the most expensive players in league history. For them, it’s business as usual: drive up the fee, then cash in when the time is right.
United’s situation adds more fuel. Rio Ferdinand has already suggested they should consider selling Bruno Fernandes to reinvest in a generational talent like Baleba. With Erik ten Hag under pressure, the club can’t afford to lose another key target to Liverpool after past failures in the market.
Liverpool, on the other hand, are building patiently. Slot knows his squad has quality but still needs reinforcements for the future. Signing Baleba wouldn’t just strengthen the present; it would also secure a long-term cornerstone for midfield dominance.
Every performance Baleba delivers will now be scrutinized. Scouts are watching his positioning, passing range, discipline, and resilience under speculation. As Mick Brown hinted, the debate is already happening: strike in January, or wait until summer?
For Liverpool fans, the potential signing is a statement of ambition in the Slot era. For United supporters, losing Baleba to Anfield would be a bitter blow, symbolic of the gulf between the clubs. Brighton, meanwhile, know it’s only a matter of time before another jewel leaves for a record fee.
This saga is still in its early stages, but it already feels like one of the defining transfer stories of 2025–26. With Liverpool and United preparing for battle, Baleba stands at the center of attention — a young midfielder whose next move could shape not just his career, but the future of two of England’s greatest rivals.
