Newcastle United has spent the final weeks of the transfer window exploring several ways to rebuild a midfield stripped of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, with Matthias Jaissle still lacking a veteran and established player in the middle of the pitch.
One of the more ambitious names linked to the club entered Newcastle’s radar lately in Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba. The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope first reported that the Magpies have admired the Cameroon international for some time,
although Brighton’s valuation made a deal particularly difficult in prior transfer windows.
“We understand that Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is among those the manager admires, and the club have him on their list of targets,” Hope reported. “Baleba would be an ambitious move, but Newcastle need to be just that if they are to give their new boss a squad that is able to compete in the top-flight this term. For right now, you would forecast a season-long struggle at the wrong end of the table.”
That obstacle may have suddenly become significantly smaller. According to a new Daily Mail report, per Football Transfers, Brighton has notably reduced its asking price for Baleba and could now consider the 22-year-old’s departure for around £60 million (€69.5 million).
That represents a substantial shift from Brighton’s previous position, as the Seagulls were reportedly demanding more than £100 million (€116 million) when Newcastle showed interest in Baleba last year, meaning their latest valuation is approximately £40 million lower.
The Athletic also confirmed Newcastle’s interest in Baleba on Tuesday, reporting his name has been “mentioned internally.”
“Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba is admired and has been mentioned internally,” The Athletic reported. “While he would be an exciting addition in many ways, given Manchester United’s interest last year, the Cameroonian is only 22 and may not provide the immediate leadership Jaissle is seeking.“
As affordable and interesting as a potential Baleba deal might be, at the point of Hope’s initial report from last week Newcastle had not transformed its interest into active negotiations. That, however, might have to do with Baleba’s situation as he’s been recovering from an ankle injury.
“It is not an active transfer – the 22-year-old currently has an ankle injury – but our sources say it is one to keep an eye on as the window progresses,” Hope reported.
The new asking price could potentially alter Newcastle’s calculations with around two weeks remaining before the Sept. 1 deadline.
Should Newcastle move quickly for Baleba at £60 million, or would that still be too much given the club’s other needs? Would you spend that exact same figure on another midfielder, such as Lucas Bergvall? Let us know in the comments section below.
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