Liverpool
Premier League • England
Liverpool set to accelerate first summer signing as Fabrizio Romano warns things ‘could change within 24 hours’
Although Liverpool are now expected to complete the signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton, Fabrizio Romano has explained why ‘they have to be careful’ to actually get it over the line.
Mac Allister is believed to be on the verge of a move from Brighton to Liverpool, where he would become the first of multiple provisional midfield signings this summer after the confirmed departures of James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur Melo.
A recent report claimed Mac Allister has agreed personal terms with Liverpool and that the transfer is ’99 percent done’, with an announcement awaited in early June.
Of course, we are in early June now, so it could only be a matter of time before Liverpool can wrap the deal up. But the transfer isn’t necessarily the foregone conclusion some people might think it is.
According to transfer expert Romano, Liverpool need to be ‘careful’, hinting that other suitors could try to hijack the deal by matching Mac Allister’s release clause.
Romano told Give Me Sport: “They have to be careful because when there is a release clause or a fixed amount to sign the player from Brighton, this could change within 24 hours.
“So this is why Liverpool know they have to be fast with Mac Allister.”
Once any club activates Mac Allister’s exit clause, the ball is in his court as to whether to accept the move or not.
As things stand, it seems the most likely outcome will be for him to choose Liverpool, which has been believed to be his preference all along.
Other Alexis Mac Allister suitors reminded
Other clubs to previously have been linked with Mac Allister include Man City, Chelsea and Man Utd. There have already been indications that City might try to hijack Liverpool’s bid for him.
Yet the Premier League champions are now being closely linked with Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic in a similar position. Therefore, Liverpool might still be looking over their shoulders regarding Mac Allister, but without any major worry.
Mac Allister made 40 appearances for Brighton this season, scoring 12 goals. In the middle of it all, he also happened to win the World Cup with Argentina.
Still only 24 years old, his form and potential have alerted a number of bigger clubs than Brighton, who now accept their fate of losing him this summer, despite his contract at the Amex Stadium being due to last until 2025.
As Romano says, Liverpool can’t necessarily count their chickens before they hatch in terms of signing Mac Allister. But the expectation remains that he will be a Liverpool player by next season.