Liverpool made £450m worth of new signings during the summer transfer window.

We saw the club’s sporting director Richard Hughes break the British transfer record TWICE in deals for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

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The Premier League champions also added Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Giovanni Leoni.

But one area that did not get much attention was centre midfield. Outgoing deals were completed for James McConnell – on loan to Ajax – and Tyler Morton, who joined Lyon in a permanent deal.

It means Arne Slot has got the same array of midfielders available to him this season as last season.

Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo are Slot’s midfield options – although that number could increase in the upcoming transfer windows.

Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton are said to be on the radar – and links are re-emerging with one of the finest midfielders in the English top flight.

Carlos Baleba, 21, joined Brighton from Lille back in 2023 – going on to establish himself as a a key part of the Seagulls’ lineup.

It’s now being speculated that the Cameroon international could LEAVE the Amex before long – with Brighton reported to be seeking around £100m for his signature.

Baleba is under contract until 2028 and could follow in the footsteps of other big-money departures including Joao Pedro and Moises Caicedo.

While some outlets suggest that Manchester United is the player’s preferred destination, a report from Football Insider confirms that the Red Devils should be very worried about Liverpool in the background.

It’s clear that the Premier League title-holders is the place to be right now – with United languishing in the doldrums and not even playing European football these days.

Liverpool’s pre-eminence – and Champions League status – should place them top of the queue for Baleba.

And given the sums spent on Wirtz and Isak – reaching Brighton’s demands should be no problem for Hughes and co.

“I think it’d be concerning for Manchester United if they are sort of monitoring that situation,” says Pete O’Rourke of Liverpool’s interest. “Carlos Baleba is a top player.

“Man United inquired about him in the summer and Brighton’s price tag of around £100million scared United off.

“United still firmly have him on the radar probably for next summer rather than the January window and if Liverpool are in the market for a central-defensive midfielder, I’m sure Baleba will be someone who’s also on their list as well.

“If it came down to who could land them, it’d be worrying for United because they probably need Champions League football to try and convince Baleba to make that move.”