Liverpool fans are used to seeing their club linked with big names, but the latest reports coming out of England have created serious excitement and also serious debate. The Reds, under Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes, are now being linked with a potential move for Brighton’s young midfield star Carlos Baleba, a player who could cost as much as £100million in the 2026 transfer window. The figure alone is enough to make eyebrows rise, but when you start to break down the situation, it becomes clear why both Liverpool and Manchester United are circling around this 21-year-old with such intensity.
Carlos Baleba is no ordinary talent. Since arriving at Brighton, he has developed into one of the most talked-about midfielders in the Premier League. Strong, mobile, comfortable in possession, and fearless in duels, he has been tipped by many to become one of the most dominant midfielders of his generation. At 21, his ceiling looks unlimited. Brighton, as always, have shown their remarkable ability to scout hidden gems and polish them into Premier League jewels. Baleba has quickly followed in the footsteps of players like Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, both of whom Brighton turned into stars before selling them for massive profits.
And now, once again, Brighton are at the center of another transfer storm. Liverpool and Manchester United are preparing for what could become a transfer battle that stretches across the season. United tried to sign him in the summer but failed, and according to reports, that failed move has already played with the young midfielder’s mind. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler even admitted after Baleba was substituted at half-time against Tottenham that his midfielder “might have been affected” by all the speculation around his future. That single comment added fuel to the fire, confirming that the rumours were not only true but also impacting the player’s performances.
For Liverpool, this is where things get interesting. Sources close to the club, including former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, revealed that Liverpool have been sending scouts to watch Baleba closely at the Amex Stadium. They are building a complete profile on him, studying his strengths and weaknesses, and monitoring how he reacts under pressure, especially with so much talk about his future already in the air. This is exactly how Liverpool operate under their new leadership. They do not rush blindly into transfers; they analyze every detail, from a player’s physical attributes to his mentality under the spotlight.
Mick Brown, a man with years of experience in elite scouting during United’s most successful period, explained it very simply: “When a player builds a positive reputation like the one Baleba has, and after interest from Manchester United, Liverpool are always going to be interested. They are now sending scouts to follow him and build a profile to determine whether he’s the right player to strengthen their squad.”
This statement confirms everything fans have been whispering about for weeks. Liverpool’s midfield rebuild might not be finished yet. Despite the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo in the last year, Slot and Hughes still want more. Slot is known for loving midfielders who can combine energy with tactical intelligence, players who can press hard but also keep the ball moving smoothly. Baleba fits that description perfectly.
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What makes the story even more dramatic is the fact that Baleba’s family have reportedly visited both Liverpool and Manchester United recently. According to insiders, they were impressed by what they saw at Anfield. The facilities, the atmosphere, and the project under Arne Slot left them with a very positive impression. For any young player, family opinions often matter a lot when deciding the next career move, and this could give Liverpool an advantage when the time comes.
But Brighton are not ready to give him away cheaply. Reports claim that his price tag could exceed £100million, which would put him among the most expensive players in Premier League history. For Brighton, this is business as usual. They know how to drive up prices, and they know that clubs like Liverpool and United have the resources when they truly want a player. This is why negotiations, if they happen, will be long and complicated.
For Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand has already given his opinion on the situation. He has suggested that the club should even consider selling captain Bruno Fernandes and reinvesting that money into signing a young star like Baleba. Such a bold statement shows how highly Baleba is rated, but it also shows how desperate United are to reshape their midfield for the future. With Erik ten Hag under pressure, United cannot afford to lose another transfer battle to Liverpool, especially after missing out on players like Cody Gakpo in recent years.
On the other side, Liverpool are quietly building their plan. Arne Slot knows he has inherited a squad that has quality but also needs refreshing in key areas. His first months at Anfield have shown glimpses of exciting football, but he also knows the standards of Liverpool require constant improvement. The club cannot just compete in England; they must also fight in Europe. Signing a midfielder like Baleba would not only be about today but also about tomorrow, securing one of the best young players in the world before rivals do.
The tension is already building, and every Baleba performance between now and the end of the season will be analyzed under a microscope. Scouts will take notes on everything: his positioning, his passing range, his discipline, his ability to recover after mistakes. Brighton’s manager has already admitted that the speculation has slightly affected him, but this could be the ultimate test of his mentality. If he can shine under this spotlight, he will prove to clubs like Liverpool that he is ready for the next big step. If he crumbles, doubts will grow.
Behind the scenes, the discussions are happening. Mick Brown hinted at it clearly: “When the January window opens, there’ll be discussions about whether that’s the right time to make a move or whether it might be more likely next summer.” That line tells the full story. Liverpool are in no rush. They want to watch, analyze, and then strike at the perfect moment. If United make an early move in January, Liverpool will be ready to respond. If Brighton resist in January, the summer of 2026 could become the battlefield.
This story is also about identity. For Liverpool fans, watching their club linked with a £100million midfielder is a reminder that the ambition is still there. FSG and Richard Hughes are showing that they are willing to back Arne Slot in the market. After years of Klopp, this is a new era, and big signings will help to shape Slot’s Liverpool. For United fans, this is about pride. Losing Baleba to Liverpool would sting deeply, not just because of the player himself but because of what it says about where both clubs stand right now.
Baleba himself is the man at the center of it all. At 21, his career could go in many directions. He could stay at Brighton, continue to develop, and move later. He could move to Manchester United and become part of their midfield rebuild. Or he could move to Liverpool, a club with Champions League ambitions and a track record of turning young talents into global stars. Whatever he chooses, the next 12 months will define his career.
As the whispers grow louder, the pressure on Brighton also grows. They will want to keep their star but will also know that £100million offers cannot be ignored forever. They faced the same reality with Caicedo, Mac Allister, Ben White, and many others before. History tells us one thing: when Brighton develop a gem, the big clubs always come calling, and eventually, the player always moves.
So here we are. Liverpool versus Manchester United, two of England’s greatest rivals, fighting not just for points on the pitch but for the signature of one of the Premier League’s brightest young stars. Scouts are watching, agents are whispering, families are visiting, and managers are plotting. Baleba is trying to keep his head clear, but even his coach admits the noise is affecting him. This is what modern football has become—a constant storm of speculation, pressure, and opportunity.
For Liverpool fans, the dream is already alive. Imagine Baleba in red, dominating midfield battles at Anfield, linking with Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, giving Slot the power and control he needs to take Liverpool back to the very top. For Manchester United fans, the fear of losing another big target to their biggest rival is real. And for Brighton, the countdown has already started. They know it is not a matter of if, but when.
This transfer story is only beginning, but already it feels like one of the biggest sagas of 2025 and 2026. And for Liverpool, the presence of Arne Slot smiling at Anfield with Richard Hughes in the background tells you everything—you can sense that the club is moving, quietly but surely, to make sure the next superstar walks through their doors before anyone else.
