Chelsea Target Highly-Rated Midfielder as Summer Plans Take Shape

Chelsea are laying the groundwork for a major midfield signing, with sources indicating that the club is closely monitoring Brighton’s Carlos Baleba—an emerging talent rated even higher than Moisés Caicedo.

While much of the transfer speculation has focused on strikers, the Blues are also exploring midfield reinforcements as they look to strengthen their squad for future title challenges.

Enzo Maresca’s side has already made inquiries about Baleba’s availability and potential transfer fee earlier this month. However, a move before the February 3 deadline remains highly unlikely unless Chelsea is willing to pay a significant premium—something the current ownership has demonstrated a willingness to do for priority targets in the past.

While an immediate deal appears off the table, Chelsea’s long-term interest suggests they could return with a serious bid in the summer, continuing their trend of aggressive investment in top young talent.

Baleba’s performances in the Premier League have caught the attention of multiple top clubs, but Chelsea are positioning themselves as frontrunners. The Blues believe he could be a key figure in their midfield rebuild, providing both defensive stability and technical quality. If a deal materializes, it could be one of the most significant transfers of the summer window.