Lille youngster Carlos Baleba has reportedly emerged as a potential transfer target for a wide array of clubs in the Premier League.
Ahead of this season, Baleba has not made his professional debut for Lille, instead featuring for the club's B team.
However, the 19-year-old had been provided with regular game time during his breakout campaign, accumulating 273 minutes in Ligue 1.
In total, three starts and nine substitute outings have been made in France's top flight, each of the former coming since the turn of the year.
Last weekend, the midfielder was only given the final few minutes in a key fixture against Lens, but his appearance highlighted his growing status at Les Dogues.
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Nevertheless, it appears that head coach Paulo Fonseca faces a battle to keep the prospect in his first-team plans in the long term.
According to 90min, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are all taking an interest in signing the Cameroonian later in 2023.
The report suggests that the three Premier League giants have all had scouts present to watch Baleba in person, aware that a hotly-contested race for his signature could follow.
Each of the Gunners, Red Devils and Merseyside outfit are all expected to be in the market for at least one new central midfielder in the summer, particularly one in the age bracket of Baleba.
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Newcastle United, Leicester City and West Ham United are also said to have been left impressed by the progression of Baleba since the start of the season.
Despite the interest in Baleba's signature, Lille remain in a strong position with regards to his future with over three years left on his contract.
The French club allegedly view Baleba in a similar way to what they previously held with Amadou Onana before his big-money switch to Everton last year.
AC Milan are said to have failed with a bid for Baleba in January, although it is unclear whether I Rossoneri intend to return for the player.
Darren Plant
