Sources: Brighton finalise €30m deal for Caicedo replacement after Nottingham Forest snub
TEAMtalk understands that Brighton have finalised a deal with French side Lille for highly-rated midfielder Carlos Baleba.
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Sources have told us that the deal was agreed on Monday afternoon with Seagulls sporting director David Weir sealing the move which is worth €30million.
We understand that Baleba has opted for Brighton ahead of rival clubs such as Nottingham Forest, whilst Brentford and Palace have also showed interest in the player.
Baleba is the latest midfielder to reject Forest, with the club also looking like failing with moves for Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana and Benfica’s Florentino Luis.
The 19-year-old is being viewed as a direct replacement for new Chelsea arrival Moises Caicedo despite his tender age.
Baleba, who has also been of interest to Liverpool, has only made 35 senior appearances in his club career, having burst into the scene last season.
The teenager is known to have a tremendous engine and passing ability and is capable as playing as a defensive midfielder or moving forward into a box-to-box role.
If he arrives in time, Baleba could make his Brighton debut in Saturday evening’s Premier League clash with West Ham on the south coast.
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Report: How much Brighton would currently charge Spurs for Evan Ferguson
Goal have claimed that Brighton are demanding a whopping £120m for Evan Ferguson amidst Tottenham’s interest in the striker.
Ferguson has been tipped by many to evolve into a world-class centre-forward in the years to come, with the teenager hardly appearing to have any weaknesses in his game.
The 18-year-old has started the new season impressively, and it was reported by TEAMtalk a few days ago that Spurs have explored a potential move for the youngster following Harry Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich.
The outlet explained that it would be a ‘tough deal’ for Tottenham to pull off as the South Coast club have ‘little appetite’ for any approach for Fergusson.
The publication added that Spurs, nevertheless, are doing their ‘due diligence’ on various options to replace Kane, which is why they wanted to check on the Republic of Ireland international.
Brighton demand £120m for Evan Ferguson
Goal have now also reported on Tottenham’s interest in Ferguson, stating that the teenager is the North London club’s ‘dream’ Kane replacement.
However, it is explained that the Seagulls are keen to hold on to the centre-forward for one more season as they expect the player’s stock to go up even further over the next 12 months.
It is alleged that Brighton have informed Tottenham that they would have to set a new British transfer record by paying £120m for Ferguson if they want to sign him this window.
Spurs Web Opinion
Any hopes that Tottenham or any of the other Premier League clubs had of landing Ferguson this summer was over the second he penned a new contract with Brighton back in April. I would not be surprised if the striker fetches an even bigger fee than Moises Caicedo next summer.
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