Tottenham Hotspur are ready to challenge Manchester United for Carlos Baleba in the January transfer window
Tottenham’s recent dip in Premier League form has exposed a glaring weakness that continues to hold the team back under Thomas Frank. For reasons known only to the Danish tactician, he has persisted with pairing João Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur in midfield, a duo that offers solidity off the ball but lacks the creative spark needed to dictate games. While both players bring valuable qualities, they simply cannot operate together consistently without compromising the team’s overall balance.
The current Spurs midfield is devoid of creativity, vision, and attacking flair. This deficiency has forced the North Londoners to retreat into a more passive approach, often operating without control in central areas. Palhinha and Bentancur thrive in defensive phases, but offer little when it comes to progression or breaking the lines.
For Spurs to take the next step and truly dominate matches, Frank urgently needs a ball-carrying midfielder, someone capable of driving forward, linking seamlessly with the front line, and influencing both ends of the pitch. Finding a profile that fits this requirement has become a top priority ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Tottenham set to enter race for Brighton star Carlos Baleba in January
Tottenham are already preparing to reinforce their midfield options in January as they attempt to close the gap on their rivals in the second half of the campaign. The recruitment team is actively scanning the market for players who fit Frank’s tactical blueprint at N17. A new midfielder is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity for a side aiming to control games through possession and tempo.
According to the Daily Briefing (via CaughtOffside), Spurs are keeping a close eye on Brighton star Carlos Baleba. The Cameroon international is viewed as a player with world-class potential, and his €100 million valuation reflects his rising reputation. Frank is reportedly a big admirer and is keen to bring the 21-year-old to North London this winter.
However, striking a deal will be far from straightforward. Manchester United are also in the hunt for Baleba and even tried to sign him in the summer. The move collapsed when Brighton failed to secure a replacement in time, but United are expected to return for him in January, complicating Spurs’ pursuit.
Is Carlos Baleba the answer to the problems at N17?
Whoever watches the Premier League religiously will know how impressive Carlos Baleba has been during his time at Brighton. The Cameroon international was signed as Moises Caicedo’s replacement at the AMEX Stadium, and it is fair to say that he has fulfilled that role effortlessly. Credit goes to the Seagulls, as well, for identifying his untapped talent and turning him into one of the standout young players in the league.
He would thrive at N17 under Thomas Frank. The talented midfielder likes to play in a two-man midfield that allows him the freedom to go up and down the pitch. His ball-carrying ability is second to none, and he tends to link up the defence and the attack almost effortlessly. Signing him would mean that Bentancur loses his place in the starting eleven. But it would also mean that Spurs have a world-class talent in their ranks that could serve the club for the next decade.
Even so, caution is warranted. Baleba has struggled for consistency this season and has already been substituted at half-time on four occasions by Fabian Hürzeler due to underwhelming performances. Given Brighton’s lofty asking price, Tottenham must thoroughly assess whether the 21-year-old is worth such a substantial investment at this stage of his development.