Brighton & Hove Albion have placed a staggering £100 million valuation on Carlos Baleba as several top Premier League clubs circle the highly rated Cameroonian midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old, who joined the Seagulls from French side Lille in August 2023 for a reported €27 million, has rapidly emerged as one of the most promising young talents in the English top flight.
After a season of adaptation to the Premier League’s demands, Baleba has grown into a vital figure in Roberto De Zerbi’s setup, impressing both fans and scouts with his dominant displays in midfield.
Baleba’s statistical output this season further underscores his influence. Averaging 6.5 ball recoveries per match, he ranks among the Premier League’s most effective defensive midfielders.
His combination of physicality, tactical awareness, and ability to carry the ball through the lines has made him an invaluable asset to Brighton and a standout profile for clubs seeking midfield reinforcements.
Brighton, well known for nurturing and selling top talent—including the likes of Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister—are determined not to part ways with Baleba unless they receive a substantial offer.
The South Coast club has reportedly set an asking price of £100 million, equivalent to around €117 million or 76.7 billion CFA francs (CEMAC), firmly positioning him among the most expensive players in their history.
Interest from Premier League heavyweights has already begun to intensify. According to talkSPORT, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Newcastle United are closely monitoring the Cameroonian’s situation.
Chelsea are believed to have made a preliminary approach during the January window, but their bid was swiftly turned down by Brighton, who remain resolute in their valuation of the player.
Liverpool are currently reshaping their midfield following recent departures and view Baleba as a long-term successor to the likes of Wataru Endo and Thiago Alcântara.
Despite their previous investment in midfielders, Chelsea continue to view Baleba as a compelling option, having already spent heavily to bring in Moisés Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Enzo Fernández.
Newcastle, aiming to bolster their squad for both domestic and European competition, are also keeping a close watch on the young midfielder.
On the international stage, Baleba has been heralded as one of the brightest hopes for Cameroonian football.
A product of the Brasseries du Cameroun academy, he made his senior debut for the Indomitable Lions in June 2024 and has already established a strong midfield partnership with André-Frank Zambo Anguissa.
His composure, defensive resilience, and forward thrust have positioned him as a future cornerstone of Cameroon’s national team setup.
As the transfer window draws closer, the question now is whether any of the Premier League’s elite will meet Brighton’s lofty demands.
Baleba’s trajectory continues to rise, and with European giants circling, the summer promises to be decisive in shaping the next chapter of his career.
