Alexis Mac Allister transfer latest: Liverpool fear Chelsea competition amid Man City ‘hijack’ talk

Liverpool are eager to get a deal for Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister done as quickly as possible amidst potential interest from Chelsea, according to Ben Jacobs.

Mac Allister has been excellent for the Seagulls this season, scoring 12 goals across all competitions, and is expecting to leave in the summer.

He has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool, though Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are also reportedly interested.

The Reds should sign two or three midfielders this summer as Jurgen Klopp looks to completely renovate in that area of the pitch.

Mac Allister would be an ideal addition that can help contribute as a box-to-box player, whilst being a big threat in the attacking third.

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Many reports say Liverpool will win the race for the player, who is widely expected to leave Brighton when the 2022/23 season comes to an end, even though Roberto De Zerbi’s side will be playing in Europe next term.

There was recent talk of Manchester City hijacking Liverpool’s move for Mac Alliser, though this has been denied by Fabrizio Romano.

But, according to Ben Jacobs, the Reds want to get the deal done quickly with Chelsea lurking in the background.

Writing for CaughtOffside, Jacobs says Mac Allister decided he wanted to leave Brighton at the end of the season after winning the World Cup with Argentina last December and Liverpool have made ‘significant progress’ in their attempts to sign him.

Brighton made the characteristically smart decision to extend the player’s contract before the World Cup, obviously feeling he would prove his ability and potential in Qatar, and this helped stop a January transfer while including ‘an atypical form of exit clause’ which can help ‘facilitate’ his exit.

Liverpool are able to work on personal terms, etc. thanks to this clause, though it is ‘pretty complex’, giving Brighton the upper hand in negotiations.

There is ‘confidence’ at Anfield, but they ‘want to move fast to ensure no Premier League suitor rivals them’.

Mauricio Pochettino is set to become Chelsea manager and his arrival ‘could change things’ after the Blues initially turned their attention to Mac Allister’s club teammate Moises Caicedo.

Jacobs adds that Brighton are expected to receive over £60m for the Argentine international. They also ‘won’t stand in his way’ this summer.

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