Tottenham to strike 'difficult' Carlos Baleba deal as Brighton transfer update emerges
Paul Robinson believes Tottenham will wait until the summer to strike a deal with Brighton for midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Ange Postecoglou is said to be an admirer of the 20-year-old Cameroon international [Alex Crook, 29 October], who only joined the Seagulls from Lille in the summer of 2023 for £23.2million [BBC Sport].
It is understood that both Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested in the Brighton man, though it is expected that Spurs will have to wait until the summer transfer window to seal a deal.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Robinson said: "I can't see it being a January move. If he's a player the manager likes, it doesn't strike me as a January deal because I don't think Brighton will do business with one of their direct rivals.
"They both want to be looking at the European places so it's unlikely they sell to a rival in January. They may have done with Yves Bissouma but that was a summer deal.
"If he's a player the manager wants, it'll be a summer move, and it all depends on funds. Brighton sell players for a heavy fee compared to what they paid for. They'll want a big mark-up. It's a difficult deal."
Tottenham to strike Carlos Baleba transfer in summer
Baleba has attracted plenty of interest since arriving in the Premier League, earning plenty of plaudits after becoming a key player at the American Express Stadium.
He has only played 48 games since arriving in England from Ligue 1 so it would likely take Spurs a lot of money to persuade Brighton into already selling the midfielder a year after purchasing him.
However, Bissouma's move to Hotspur Way is proof that the Seagulls could be willing to do business during the summer transfer window, but a January move does seem unlikely at this stage.
In other Tottenham news, Jamie O'Hara has reacted to a controversial moment in the 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town.