Carlos Baleba joins Brighton

Brighton and Hove Albion have completed a move for Carlos Baleba from Lille, with the defensive midfielder signing a long-term contract at the Premier League side and the transfer fee totalling £25 million. Baleba will move to the club as a replacement for Moises Caicedo, who joined Chelsea this month.

The Seagulls have moved swiftly to sign one of Europe's brightest young midfield prospects, as the 19-year-old is highly coveted and previously targeted by AC Milan and Real Madrid. The Cameroon-born player has taken part in 21 Ligue 1 games for Lille, and emerged through the club's youth team last year. The central midfielder idolises Paul Pogba and Thiago Alcantara, is styles his own game on the two players.

Baleba has completed his medical and a deal will be announced tomorrow. 

After last weekend's humiliating 3-1 defeat to West Ham, club manager Roberto De Zerbi has moved swiftly to bring in a new midfielder that he believes will shore up the club's so far disappointing defensive midfield. Earlier in the summer, Brighton sold Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool.