Chelsea and PSG have taken significant steps in the race for Carlos Baleba, with Manchester United and Tottenham also keen.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, PSG and Chelsea are the clubs currently best placed to sign Carlos Baleba, having taken the next steps in the pursuit. The Cameroonian midfielder is a coveted target for many other clubs, including Manchester United and Tottenham, as Brighton & Hove Albion are expected to sell for around £80-100 million.
Brighton & Hove Albion did their best to ignore outside noise last summer and keep hold of Carlos Baleba, with Manchester United those pushing to open talks then. The Seagulls had a clear plan in their mind to retain the key player that would, in turn, help them finish higher in the league and probably clinch a European spot.
None of those things have materialised, as Brighton are staring towards a disappointing end to the season. Hence, their chances of retaining a player of Baleba’s quality will prove difficult, which squarely points towards a sale, with the report stating the Seagulls could demand between £80-100 million for the midfielder, although their earlier stance pointed at a £100 million asking rate.
Manchester United are ready to go big for Carlos Baleba if a door opens in their favour, and there is a sense that they have done plenty of groundwork in the background. The Red Devils are planning a midfield revamp in the summer, with the Cameroonian midfielder repeatedly being mentioned as a potential target.
Tottenham are also interested and could look at the possibility of a big coup in the market by landing Baleba, but they might struggle to sign the midfielder without UEFA Champions League football. There are two other teams who are making strides in the market in the pursuit of the 22-year-old midfielder, with Chelsea and PSG advancing in a particular manner.
Chelsea and PSG leading the Baleba race?
Chelsea and PSG are apparently leading the race to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion after being active in the background and probably understanding a deal better. The two clubs have massive capabilities to sign players of his calibre, especially for the prices being quoted.
For now, Chelsea and PSG might be in the lead, depending on what they are doing in the background, either through intermediaries or by being in contact with his camp. However, that does not rule out Manchester United and Tottenham alongside a few other select clubs entering the race for the Cameroonian midfielder ahead of the summer.
