Liverpool boss Arne Slot is already planning for next season as his side close in on the Premier League title in 2025.
The Reds have stormed clear of their rivals at the top of the EPL rankings in recent weeks and the Dutch coach looks set to secure an impressive league trophy in his first campaign at Anfield.
Slot’s charges are also through to the EFL Cup final on March 16 and they resume their UEFA Champions League challenge at the Round of 16 stage at Paris Saint-Germain on March 5.
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However, the major on-pitch positivity is balanced against uncertainty over the futures of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk, with the trio yet to decide on their contract extension intentions.
Slot is happy to leave those negotiations in the hands of the club hierarchy, and as a show of pragmatism, the former Feyenoord chief is already working on a shortlist of transfer targets.
Despite the potential for holes being punched in defence – if Alexander-Arnold or Van Dijk leave – alongside possibly replacing the sensational Salah, Slot is focused on a new midfielder, with Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba reportedly top of his list as per Football Insider.
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Carlos Baleba’s Brighton contract, transfer value, stats
Brighton have developed a reputation as consistent Premier League talent nurturers and shrewd operators in the transfer market for both incoming and outgoings at the AMEX Stadium.
The Seagulls secured the second-highest Premier League transfer fee in history for Moises Caicedo from Chelsea in 2023 as the Ecuadorian joined the Blues for £95m ($120m).
They also secured over £35m ($46m) for Ben White, Marc Cucurella and Alexis Mac Allister – as part of the latter’s move to Anfield in 2023.
Cameroon international Baleba appears to be the next player in line for an AMEX exit despite being under contract at Brighton until 2028 – plus an option for an extra 12 months.
The 21-year-old has racked up 50 Premier League appearances in just over a season and a half at Brighton and his current side could request a transfer fee in the region of £35m ($45m).
Slot’s brief for a new midfielder is to offer more flexibility to allow Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai to get forward, with a specialist defensive midfielder behind them.
The ill-fated push for Martin Zubimendi last summer shows just how crucially Slot values a No.6 despite Mac Allister and Gravnberch impressing as a double midfield pivot in 2024/25.
That ability to read opposition attacks – to quickly nullify danger and counter attack – is key with Baleba second only to Gravenberch for Premier League interceptions made by midfielders this season (36 – 49).
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