Brighton Demand £200m for Liverpool Targets as Reds Consider Cheaper Options | OneFootball

Liverpool Rebuffed in Pursuit of Brighton Duo as £200m Valuation Emerges

Brighton Duo Too Costly as Liverpool Plot Summer Rebuild

As Liverpool’s title charge enters its final stages, eyes are already shifting to what could be a pivotal summer for the club. Arne Slot has impressed in his debut season, inheriting a squad built by Jürgen Klopp and guiding them to the brink of Premier League glory. Yet, the club is braced for change, and according to talkSPORT, significant additions are on the cards.

Brighton pair Joao Pedro and Carlos Baleba have caught Liverpool’s attention after standout seasons under Fabian Hürzeler. “Both players have been in inspired form for the Seagulls this season, with Fabian Hurzeler’s side very much in the mix to bring Champions League football to the AMEX next season.”

However, ambitions at the AMEX are equally strong, and Brighton have made their position clear. “As a result, the Seagulls appear in no mood to part with either player cheaply. And according to talkSPORT, the Reds have been warned that deals for both players will set them back a combined £200m – or £100m apiece.”

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It’s a price tag that dwarfs Liverpool’s current transfer record – the £85m spent on Darwin Núñez in 2022 – and signals that the south coast club will not be bullied into sales, no matter the suitor.

Baleba Admired but Not an Immediate Priority

Carlos Baleba, in particular, has long been on Liverpool’s radar. “Our sources reported their interest in Baleba actually pre-dates his move to Brighton and can be traced back on our website to August 2023.” That historical admiration remains, but the Reds are treading carefully.

Transfer journalist Graeme Bailey offered clarity: “Liverpool know all about Pedro and Baleba, they appreciate them both. If Liverpool want a number six then Baleba is very high on that list… but whether midfield is a priority – it doesn’t seem to be at this point.”

Bailey added: “When Brighton say they want £100m, they should be believed.”

Liverpool’s midfield isn’t devoid of promise. Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch have made strides under Slot, reducing the urgency for a central reinforcement. The club are still “keeping check on the best options”, but as it stands, no concrete moves are expected.

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Isak Remains Top Target but Challenges Persist

Up front, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak remains Slot’s preferred option. According to TEAMtalk sources, “Isak is the top target for Liverpool”, but there are notable complications. James Pearce of The Athletic has outlined “three big reasons why a deal is extremely difficult for the Reds to pull off”.

That hasn’t stopped Liverpool from exploring alternative striker options, but it does suggest that any move for Pedro – also capable of playing through the middle – will have to wait, especially at Brighton’s current asking price.

Wolves Star Gomes Becomes Viable Plan B

With Baleba’s valuation likely a deal-breaker, Joao Gomes of Wolves is emerging as a more realistic alternative. “Per their report, the Reds could tempt the Old Gold into his sale by ‘tabling a £40m offer’.”

Gomes has quietly had an outstanding season despite Wolves’ position in the table, and he offers a more economical profile for the deep midfield role. Slot values balance in midfield, and Gomes could provide steel and drive at a fraction of Baleba’s cost.

Photo: IMAGO

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

It’s easy to see why fans are both excited and frustrated by this latest development. Baleba and Pedro are exceptional talents, but £200m for the pair? That’s Brighton flexing their market muscle again – and rightly so. Their model works. But for Liverpool, this is a reminder that legacy matters little in the modern market. You pay, or you look elsewhere.

Supporters will want smart, surgical recruitment. Slot needs the right tools, but he also needs FSG to be strategic. Spending big doesn’t guarantee success – Chelsea have proved that – and Liverpool have long built their progress through efficiency, not excess.

A £40m move for Joao Gomes seems far more like Liverpool’s style, and fans may actually welcome that type of deal. They’ll still hope Isak becomes a reality, but there’s growing acceptance that reinforcements must be sustainable. If Salah signs a new deal, and the core of the squad remains intact, Slot just needs three or four real upgrades – not galácticos, just game-changers.