Brighton and Hove Albion have reached a €30m agreement with Lille OSC over the signing of Carlos Baleba (19), according to Foot Mercato.
It was reported by L’Équipe last week that Lille were holding out for €30m for the Cameroonian number six, and it now looks like they’ll get just that. According to Foot Mercato, Brighton have reached an agreement with Lille. The Seagulls will pay around €30m, including add-ons. Baleba has been given permission to travel to the UK and will undergo his medical with the Premier League side this week.
It is a considerable fee for a player that has just six Ligue 1 starts to his name. Last season, he was used as a rotation option, but he started the first game of this season in a 1-1 draw against OGC Nice. He lost his place in the starting XI last weekend with Angel Gomes making his return. Baleba now looks set to depart, and at Brighton, he will replace Moises Caicedo, who joined Chelsea for a British record fee.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle