Liverpool submit ‘significant offer’ to sign Barcelona star ‘in January’ as Chelsea ‘making’ Guehi bid

Liverpool and Manchester United are two clubs that have never needed much of a reason to go head-to-head. The rivalry is one of the most bitter in world football, a clash of history, culture, pride, and ambition. But when that rivalry spills into the transfer market, when both clubs set their sights on the same rising star, the intensity multiplies. And that is exactly what is happening right now with Carlos Baleba, Brighton & Hove Albion’s powerful young midfielder.

This is not just another transfer rumor. This is the start of a battle that could shake the Premier League in January.

Baleba’s journey to this moment has been anything but ordinary. Born in Cameroon, he grew up far from the spotlight of European football. His rise came through grit, determination, and an unshakable belief in his own ability. When LOSC Lille picked him up as a teenager, many outside of France had no idea who he was. But scouts knew. They saw a player with strength, with intelligence, with the kind of raw physical and technical gifts that can’t be taught. Brighton’s recruitment team saw it too, and when they lost Moisés Caicedo to Chelsea, they moved quickly to bring Baleba to the Premier League.

At first, it wasn’t easy. The pace of English football is unforgiving. Baleba needed time to adapt. There were questions about whether he could handle the intensity, whether he had the consistency to thrive. But slowly, match by match, he began to show exactly why Brighton had put their faith in him. Last season, he exploded into form. He dominated midfields, breaking up attacks with ruthless tackles, carrying the ball with power, and driving Brighton forward with confidence. By the end of the campaign, he wasn’t just another young talent – he was one of the Premier League’s most talked-about midfielders.

Manchester United noticed. They made their move this summer, testing Brighton’s resolve. Talks were held, meetings took place, but in the end, Brighton stood firm. They refused to sell. Fabian Hürzeler, Brighton’s young coach, was clear: Baleba was too important, too central to his plans. For United, it was a bitter blow. They wanted him, badly. But the deal collapsed, and Baleba stayed at the Amex.

Now, the story has taken another dramatic twist. Because Liverpool have entered the race. Not just quietly, not just watching from a distance, but actively preparing to challenge United head-on. Reports say the Reds are ready to battle for him in January, ready to put serious money on the table.

For Liverpool, the interest makes sense. Their midfield has been rebuilt in recent years – Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch all came in. But still, there is a gap, a need for a player who can truly shield the backline, win duels, and set the rhythm from deep. Wataru Endō filled that role at times, but he is not seen as the long-term answer. Baleba, with his mix of power and technique, fits the profile perfectly.

The Reds know they need more steel to defend their Premier League crown. Arne Slot, in his first season as Liverpool boss, has already shown he is brave enough to make big calls. He wants energy, youth, and players who can grow with his system. Baleba is all of that.

But Brighton will not make it easy. They have set a price tag of more than £100 million. For a 21-year-old, that is enormous, but in today’s market, it is the going rate for elite midfield talent. And Brighton, as everyone knows, do not sell cheap. They got £115m for Caicedo. They will want even more for Baleba, who is tied down to a contract until 2028.

This is where the drama deepens. Liverpool and United are not just fighting for a player – they are fighting for supremacy. Whoever wins Baleba will send a message, not just to their rival but to the entire league. For United, signing him would be proof that they can still attract the brightest stars, proof that they are rebuilding towards greatness. For Liverpool, it would be a statement that they remain at the top, that their dominance is far from over.

The fans are already fired up. On social media, Liverpool supporters are urging the club to go all out, to do whatever it takes. They remember how Caicedo chose Chelsea over them and don’t want to lose another midfield target. United fans, meanwhile, are desperate not to see Baleba in red – at least not in Liverpool red. They see him as the missing piece, the man who could transform their midfield.

Baleba himself is keeping quiet. Publicly, he has said nothing. But inside, he knows what this means. Two of the biggest clubs in the world fighting for his signature. It is a position every young player dreams of. For now, he remains focused on Brighton, on getting back to full sharpness after his injury-affected summer. But he must know that January could change everything.

The pressure on Brighton will be immense. Can they hold firm again? Or will the money, the sheer weight of the offers, force them to let go? History suggests that when clubs push hard enough, Brighton eventually sell – but always on their terms, always for a massive fee.

As for Liverpool, this battle is about more than just Baleba. It is about sending a message to United. For years, their rivalry has been fought on the pitch. Now, it is being fought in boardrooms, in negotiations, in the pursuit of the next superstar. Losing Baleba to United would be a wound. Winning him would be a triumph.

And so the stage is set. January is only months away, but the war has already begun. Behind closed doors, agents are being contacted, calls are being made, strategies are being planned. Liverpool and Manchester United are circling, Brighton are bracing, and Carlos Baleba waits to see where his destiny lies.

What is certain is that this saga will dominate headlines in the coming weeks. Because when Liverpool and United collide, the world pays attention. And when they collide over a player as talented as Baleba, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

For now, he wears the blue and white of Brighton. But soon, he could be walking out at Old Trafford… or Anfield. And whichever club wins this fight will not just gain a midfielder. They will gain an edge in one of the greatest rivalries football has ever known.