Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly stepping up plans to sign Ghanaian midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi, identifying the highly-rated youngster as a long-term successor to Carlos Baleba.
The Premier League side have been tracking Yirenkyi closely since his 2024 switch to FC Nordsjælland, where he continued his development after emerging from the renowned Right to Dream Academy.
At just 20 years old, the defensive midfielder has quickly established himself in Denmark, earning praise for his composure, tactical awareness, and maturity in possession. His consistent performances in Scandinavia have not gone unnoticed, attracting interest from several European heavyweights including Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea.
Scouts from multiple clubs were in attendance during Nordsjælland’s recent clash with FC Midtjylland, but Brighton are believed to be leading the race for his signature.
The Seagulls are confident their proven track record in nurturing young talent, combined with a clear pathway to first-team football, could give them the edge in negotiations. The club views Yirenkyi as a player capable of following a similar trajectory to Baleba, who has flourished since arriving in England.
With Baleba expected to leave this summer—amid strong links to Manchester United—Brighton are eager to secure Yirenkyi ahead of their rivals.
Yirenkyi has already made 44 appearances for Nordsjælland, contributing four goals and seven assists, underlining his growing influence in midfield.
On the international stage, he has earned eight senior caps for Ghana national football team and is expected to play a key role in the team’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup. The midfielder has been named in Ghana’s squad for pre-tournament friendlies against Austria and Germany later this month, further highlighting his rising importance to the Black Stars setup.
