Liverpool is rightly ready for Manchester United transf batt
Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and three more Premier League clubs are apparently interested in one of Europes most exciting emerging midfield talents. Sign up to receive the best LFC opinion direct to your inbox Something went wrong, please try again later. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways youve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Last summer, Jrgen Klopps Liverpool found itself in the unusual position of rivaling Everton in the transfer market. Both clubs were keen on Lille midfielderAmadou Onana, along with the likes of Nottingham Forest and West Ham (viaThe Athletic). In the end, the Reds decided not to escalate their interest into a formal offer, and Everton was able to win the race by paying $40m (33m/€37m). But now, the player Lille sees as an heir to the Belgian could be on the market too, and Liverpool is in the picture once again. READ MORE:Lionel Messi heir should make Liverpool alter Roberto Firmino transfer plan as $64m claim made READ MORE:Cristiano Ronaldo already sent Roberto Firmino clear transfer message Liverpool needs him to heed According to90Min, it is one of sixPremier Leagueclubs to have scouted 19-year-old Carlos Baleba, joiningArsenalManchester United, Newcastle, West Ham and Leicester. Juventus, Nice and Monaco have been watching too, and AC Milan went as far as making an offer in January, but a move to England is seen as the most likely scenario. Much like Onana, Baleba is expected to command a fee of around $36m (30m/€34m) if he leaves Lille this summer, with his contract not due to expire until 2026. Its only been 14 months since he arrived in France from the Brasseries du Cameroun academy, and seven since he made his professional debut. Thus far, hes started just three Ligue 1 matches but made nine further substitute appearances, playing a total of 272 top-flight minutes, and also made the XI for two of Lilles three Coupe de France games. If you enjoyed this piece, youll love our latest project here atLiverpool.com our LFC newsletter, which is sent each weekdayonlyto people signed up for our mailing list. Our newsletter subscribers get a rundown Monday to Friday from one of the best Liverpool FC writers straight to your inbox, and completely for free. Sign up to the Liverpool.com newsletter here it only takes a few seconds! Predominantly a defensive midfielder but also capable of operating as a number eight, Baleba has idolized former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba,Manchester CitysKevin De Bruyne and, notably, LiverpoolsThiagoduring his teenage years (viaLilles official website). With too few minutes under his belt to draw any conclusions from the data, its better to gauge Balebas strengths and playing style through footage instead. Perhaps the main thing that stands out is the bursts of acceleration that take him away from opponents, the kind of athleticism Liverpool has often lacked in the middle of the park this season. But theres something of a contradiction in Balebas game. He can use that acceleration to progress the ball through carrying, and hes confident in doing so, even when he has to weave through traffic. When it comes to distribution, though, theres a marked air of caution. Hes often the first player to receive the ball in Lilles build-up phase, acting as the deepest-lying midfielder and supporting the center-backs. He does take his time before he picks a pass, which is a good trait to have, although you wonder if hed be afforded that luxury under pressure from Premier League opponents. Then, rather than trying an incisive vertical pass, hell typically knock the ball backward or sideways. While that could be a deliberate instruction from the manager Paulo Fonseca to move the ball up the pitch slowly, he does look a little timid in these situations, understandably so at this stage of his career. Balebasayshes improved his defensive acumen, and that shines through in his ability to anticipate loose passes before pouncing on the ball and launching a quick transition. Ultimately, hes an eye-catching but raw talent, and his inexperience was perhaps most evident in a reckless challenge in a game against Angers that saw him sent off just 12 minutes after coming off the bench. The interest in Baleba, then, raises an intriguing dilemma for Liverpool. As it looks to rebuild its midfield, can it afford to devote $36m to a player with so little top-level football behind him? Does it instead need to focus on those who can improve its fortunes straight away? Yes, the Cameroonian is the same age as top target Jude Bellingham, but the latter has played nearly 12 times the amount of professional games (166 vs 14). And its also worth considering what this move would mean for Stefan Bajčetić, another promising teenager who operates in similar roles. Still, Baleba is clearly regarded as one of the most exciting emerging midfielders in Europe, and so you can see why Liverpool would want to throw its hat in the ring. But perhaps this one to revisit in 2024, by which point hell hopefully have a full season of starting football under his belt (assuming other clubs bide their time too), and Liverpools midfield situation will be less volatile. Until then, the Reds should continue to keep a watching brief, with much bigger priorities elsewhere. You can find this story inMy Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Liverpool predicted team vs Real Madrid as Jrgen Klopp could name wildcard B list midfielder Liverpool faces Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League last-16, and Jrgen Klopp could shake up his midfield after a disappointing Bournemouth loss. Liverpool star offers himself to Barcelona as Jude Bellingham transfer meeting confirmed Media Digest: A Liverpool forward has reportedly offered his services to a La Liga side at the end of the season, as Jude Bellinghams father holds talks over a deal. 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