Brighton agree £25.6m transfer for Lille's Baleba as Caicedo replacement

Brighton have agreed a £25.6million transfer fee with Lille for the transfer of midfielder Carlos Baleba, according to reports.

The Seagulls have been searching for reinforcements in the middle of the park after Alexis Mac Allister joined Liverpool and Moises Caicedo left for Chelsea.

The Premier League club have been heavily linked with 19-year-old Baleba for several weeks and now appear to have reached a breakthrough in negotiations with Lille.

Foot Mercato are reporting that a deal has now been agreed for Baleba to join Roberto De Zerbi's side.

He will travel to England this week to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms.

Baleba has made just six Ligue 1 starts to date, but with Caicedo leaving the Amex Stadium last week for a British record fee, Brighton have moved quickly to replace him.

Caicedo joined Argentine World Cup winner Mac Allister in departing Brighton this summer, after he completed a £35million transfer to Liverpool in June.

Brighton have been busy bolstering their squad ahead of their first-ever appearance in Europe this season.

The Seagulls have snapped up Joao Pedro for a club-record fee, goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen from Anderlecht and centre-back Igor from Fiorentina.

James Milner and Mo Dahoud have also arrived on the south coast on free transfers.

De Zerbi's men have made a promising start to the Premier League season as well, following up an opening day win against Luton with a 4-1 victory at Wolves on Saturday.

They are back in action on Saturday when they host West Ham at the Amex.