Liverpool midfield target now available at £30m discount

Liverpool are thought to be looking at several midfielders ahead of the summer transfer window opening.

Although sporting director Richard Hughes made £450m worth of signings last summer the centre of midfield was one area that was neglected.

Arne Slot still has the same midfield options available to him this season as he did during the 2024/25 Premier League title-winning season but he is getting diminishing returns out of some of them.

Wataru Endo is injured and may not play for the club again - while Curtis Jones could be leaving in summer as a contract impasse continues.

The club will also have a decision to make over Alexis Mac Allister who doesn’t look the same player these days despite a goal against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton are two names thought to be in the frame for an Anfield arrival but there remains a chance that the Merseysiders move back in for an old target.

Liverpool still interested in Carlos Baleba

Carlos Baleba, 22, was on the Reds’ radar as a young player with Lille before moving to the Premier League in 2023 with Brighton.

A swift and meteoric rise followed for the Cameroon international - with the Seagulls placing a £100m+ figure on his signature last summer.

Baleba ended up staying - despite interest from Manchester United and Liverpool - and has endured a more difficult season since.

Accordingly TEAMtalk is claiming that Baleba is now available at a mammoth discount this summer with a fee of just £70m quoted.

Baleba now available for £70m

“The south coast club are expected to soften their £100m-plus demands for the Cameroon international,” the report reads.

“A deal could be struck closer to an overall package worth around £70m.”

Liverpool at this stage are outsiders for Baleba - as Man Utd have got him top of the list to lead their midfield overhaul.

Casemiro is leaving and the Red Devils need an upgrade for Manuel Ugarte - with Baleba according to the report thought to be the leading candidate to arrive.

But don’t write off Liverpool.

“Liverpool remain admirers of Baleba, having studied him closely during his time at Lille before his Premier League move, and although their interest persists, there is uncertainty over whether midfield is their top transfer priority,” the report continues.

Man Utd are struggling with £1.3bn of debt and it’s not known what kind of budget they’ll have to spend this summer.

That could offer Liverpool the chance to come back in for an old flame - and a capable Premier League performer who can kickstart their new era in midfield.

He is under contract until 2028 - with an option in his deal for another year.

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