Report: Chelsea keeping tabs on 21-year-old star with £100m price tag | OneFootball

Chelsea are one of several top clubs to have scouted Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, who’s been earmarked as the next star to make a big money move according to reports.

The Blues are set for another busy summer and made two early signings as they completed deals for Sporting Lisbon duo Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo last month, although Quenda won’t join until 2026.

Chelsea face a critical window in which a number of key areas in the squad need addressing with the Blues said to be after a striker, centre back and right footed attacker.

Chelsea have scouted Baleba

One area Chelsea are unlikely to need to strengthen is in midfield, given they have Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, whilst Andrey Santos is set to return from Strasbourg to play a key role next season.

Not to mention they also have Essugo, who is in line to make his debut at the Club World Cup, midfield is arguably Chelsea’s strongest area in the squad.

Baleba has impressed with his performances this season. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

However, talkSPORT have reported the Blues are one of several top clubs to have scouted Baleba, but Brighton are said to be under no pressure to sell.

The report adds the 21-year-old is being touted as the next Brighton player to make a big money exit and it’s believed Brighton value him in the same bracket as Caicedo who cost a British record £115m.

Chelsea are said to have had an approach rejected for Baleba in January, with the midfielder only arriving last summer from French side Lille.

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Brighton only paid £23.2m for the Cameroon international, who’s impressed making 31 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals, and will be line to make a significant profit when they do come to eventually sell him.

Chelsea don’t need another midfielder but you can understand why the Blues would be keeping tabs on Baleba, given he fits perfectly into the current recruitment model, not to mention the obvious talent he possesses.