Brighton midfielder and Newcastle winger emerge as primary targets following disappointing campaign under Dutch manager
Liverpool have identified Carlos Baleba and Anthony Gordon as their top transfer targets for a major squad overhaul following a disappointing 2025/26 season under Arne Slot.
The Reds are preparing to spend in excess of £100 million on the Brighton midfielder and Newcastle winger as they attempt to arrest their decline in the post-Klopp era.
Liverpool's engine room has been consistently overrun this season, with opponents dominating physical battles and transitions against Slot's side.
The club have zeroed in on 22-year-old Baleba as the solution to their midfield woes. The Cameroonian international has emerged as one of the Premier League's most dominant ball-winners since his €27 million move to Brighton in 2023.
The midfielder brings exactly what Liverpool lack:
Brighton's reputation as tough negotiators means Liverpool face a battle to secure their man. The Seagulls extracted maximum value for Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister in recent windows.
Liverpool are not alone in their pursuit, several other top European clubs are actively monitoring Baleba's rapid development.
Liverpool's renewed interest in Anthony Gordon exposes concerns about their attacking output under Slot's system.
The 25-year-old England international has been on Liverpool's radar for over a year, but Newcastle successfully rebuffed previous approaches.
This season's statistics demonstrate why Liverpool remain keen:
Gordon previously dismissed exit rumours to focus on Newcastle, but Liverpool believe financial pressures at St James' Park could force a sale.
Newcastle's well-documented PSR concerns mean they may need to cash in on key assets. Gordon represents their most sellable commodity given his age, nationality and Premier League pedigree.
Liverpool's willingness to meet Newcastle's valuation, likely north of £60 million, shows their determination to land proven talent rather than gamble on potential.
Both selling clubs enter negotiations from positions of strength, aware of Liverpool's desperation to rebuild after a failed season.
Brighton's track record speaks for itself. They turned £60 million signings into £100 million sales with Caicedo, while extracting £35 million for Mac Allister despite his release clause.
Several factors strengthen Brighton and Newcastle's negotiating positions:
The Reds face paying significantly over market value to secure their targets. Conservative estimates suggest £50-60 million for Baleba and £60-70 million for Gordon.
Liverpool's intentions are crystal clear, the squad needs a serious injection of Premier League-proven physicality and pace.
Liverpool's sporting directors face their biggest test since taking over from Michael Edwards. Executing this double signing would cost north of £120 million but send a clear message about their ambitions.
The club must move quickly to avoid a bidding war, particularly for Baleba who attracts interest from across Europe. Early negotiations with both clubs will reveal whether Liverpool possess the financial muscle and negotiating skill to complete their rebuild.
Failure to land either target would leave Slot entering year two with the same squad that underperformed this season, potentially sealing his fate before the campaign even begins.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute betting advice.
Liverpool are preparing to spend in excess of £100 million on Brighton's Carlos Baleba and Newcastle's Anthony Gordon. This represents a major investment as Arne Slot begins rebuilding the squad.
Liverpool need Baleba's physical power and elite ball-recovery statistics to solve their midfield crisis. The 22-year-old Cameroonian international has dominated Premier League midfield battles since joining Brighton for €27 million in 2023.
Anthony Gordon has scored 17 goals across all competitions this season, including 10 Champions League goals in just 12 appearances. His 775 minutes in Europe's elite competition demonstrate his ability to perform at the highest level.
Newcastle's PSR financial concerns could force them to sell Gordon despite previous resistance. Liverpool believe the financial pressures at St James' Park make Gordon their most sellable asset given his age, nationality and Premier League pedigree.
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