Sources: Brighton agree Carlos Baleba deal as Liverpool twist revealed
Brighton have had a bid accepted for Lille midfielder Carlos Baleba, sources have told Football Insider.
The midfield powerhouse has agreed terms with the Seagulls and they have now agreed on a fee of £23million plus £2.5m of add-ons with the French club.
It is a coup for Brighton, who have been in the market for a replacement for Moises Caicedo, who joined Chelsea earlier this month in a record-breaking £115m deal.
Baleba has been on the shortlist of multiple Premier League clubs including Liverpool, whose recruitment team have been keeping close tabs on the rising star.
However, Liverpool have decided not to follow through their interest as they look to sign midfielders who can slot straight into their starting XI.
Jurgen Klopp has already added the trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo to his squad this summer after losing a handful of midfielders this transfer window.
Baleba enjoyed a breakthrough season with Lille in 2022/23, making 19 Ligue Un appearances for the French side.
He only played 470 minutes of league football, but impressed for Paulo Fonseca's side in a defensive midfield role.
Baleba started in Lille's opening game of the season against Nice earlier this month but only made a late one-minute cameo in their draw with FC Nantes last week.
Lille face Lorient on Sunday afternoon (27 August) but it is yet to be seen whether Beleba will be involved in their matchday squad.