Report: Brighton considering move to sign Aston Villa midfielder | OneFootball

Brighton Plot Baleba Succession as Villa Midfielder Enters Frame

Credit to The Telegraph for outlining the emerging narrative around Brighton’s midfield planning, with the Seagulls quietly exploring options should Carlos Baleba become the club’s next headline departure. At the heart of that thinking sits Aston Villa prospect Lamare Bogarde, a player increasingly viewed as a viable long-term investment if circumstances demand action.

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Baleba, 21, is “among the clutch of young central midfielders who could be prominent in the transfer market next summer as clubs look for a long-term No 6”. Brighton undoubtedly understand this marketplace better than most. The Cameroonian’s stock has risen sharply and, as reported, “Baleba could cost more than £100 million on current market valuations”, placing him firmly into the elite bracket of Brighton tradeable assets.

That expectation follows his path since joining from Lille in 2023 for £23.2m and stepping into a role that has echoed the sale trajectory of Moisés Caicedo. Manchester United’s prior enquiry underscores how high his ceiling is perceived. “Baleba was the subject of an inquiry from Manchester United last summer and although a deal did not progress, they are still in the hunt for a long-term No 6”.

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Bogarde’s Breakthrough at Villa

Brighton’s interest in Bogarde reflects both practicality and opportunism. The Netherlands Under-21 midfielder has made steady progress since returning from a formative loan at Bristol Rovers under Joey Barton. Now a trusted squad member at Villa Park, he has registered 15 appearances this season and “started the last three Europa League fixtures”.

Having signed a new contract at the beginning of last season, Bogarde’s development under Unai Emery has been measured but encouraging. His market value is already “expected to be more than £25m”, and he continues to learn alongside established midfield figures such as Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana, with John McGinn’s versatility further enriching that environment.

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His cameo against Brighton during Villa’s late push in “a thrilling 4-3 win” added further connective tissue to the rumour cycle, offering Seagulls staff a chance for direct observation under game pressure.

Brighton’s Forward Planning

This interest fits Brighton’s long-running recruitment methodology. Young, tactically intelligent midfielders with strong resale trajectories remain priority assets. The club’s approach rarely waits for departure confirmation, instead requiring targets to be reviewed long before any sale materialises.

Bogarde’s age profile, adaptability and exposure to European football sit neatly within that blueprint. As one recruitment insider recently noted, “Brighton never chase the moment, they prepare for it”.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Brighton supporters, this report feels achingly familiar. They have seen this movie before and the emotions are always mixed. On one hand, the idea of Baleba going commands serious pride. He has developed enormously since arriving, and the thought of exceeding £100m yet again underlines how well the club identifies and nurtures elite potential.

On the other hand, no fan truly wants to watch another midfield cornerstone leave just as he reaches maturity. Baleba feels central to their tactical future. His athleticism and spatial awareness bring balance that cannot easily be replicated, regardless of how good the succession plan looks on paper.

Bogarde represents precisely the type of forward-thinking solution Brighton usually pursue. He is young, technically sound, accustomed to demanding coaching environments and already gaining experience in European competition.

Still, many fans would prefer Baleba to remain and become the resistant anchor of a side pushing consistently for European qualification. Rebuilding central midfield year after year is emotionally draining, even when execution is excellent. There is a strong sentiment among the fanbase that retention should now receive the same ambition as recruitment.

If Bogarde arrives, supporters will naturally trust the process. Yet the hope remains that this planning proves precautionary rather than prescriptive, and that Baleba leads Brighton into the next phase rather than powering the next record-breaking exit.