Alexis Mac Allister: Brighton chief directly responds to Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelsea moves, as player’s father hints at future club

The future of Alexis Mac Allister looks certain to lay away from Brighton and the club’s CEO has addressed the speculation, while the player’s father has declared which side his son will sign for in the future.

The Argentine, 24, is fast becoming one of the most in-demand midfielders ahead of the summer transfer window. Mac Allister can operate either in a double pivot, on either side of a midfield three or in a more advanced attacking midfield role.

As such, Fabrizio Romano confirmed he’s on the radars of Liverpool and Man Utd, while Chelsea too are known to be in the mix.

Indeed, Football London reported Mac Allister is near the top of Chelsea’s midfield shortlist this summer. Elsewhere, trusted Argentine journalist, Gaston Edul, claimed it’s Liverpool who’ve laid the most groundwork for a transfer thus far.

Romano insisted Mac Allister’s situation is likely to be resolved in the very early stages of the window. Talks between Mac Allister’s camp and his vast array of suitors are primed to open long before the current campaign concludes.

Now, speaking to talkSPORT, Brighton CEO Paul Barber has weighed in on the future of one of Brighton’s most prized assets.

Barber spoke highly of the Argentine, especially with regards to how quickly he settled after the euphoric high of winning the World Cup with Argentina.

The Seagulls chief also refused to rule out a Mac Allister sale and admitted he’s fully aware the midfielder is highly coveted.

Barber knows fight to retain Brighton ace is coming

“With Alexis, we sat down before the World Cup with his father, Carlos, and his agent,” Barber told talkSPORT.

“That was about making sure Alexis was as settled as possible before the World Cup goal.

“And afterwards, we ensured he got back focussed on the Premier League – to his credit, he absolutely has done. He’s performed very, very well.

“What the summer brings? We don’t know. What we do know is our players will come under a lot of scrutiny and interest. We will manage that, as we always do, when and if it happens.”

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Carlos Mac Allister names surprise future move

Elsewhere, Alexis’ father, Carlos, has named which club he expects his son to join in the longer-term.

Carlos – himself a former Argentina international – revealed he expects Alexis to sign for Argentine heavyweight Boca Juniors once his European journey concludes towards the back end of his career.

But before then, Carlos admitted Alexis is highly likely to be playing for a team other than Brighton next season.

“Surely Alexis will return to play in Boca at some point,” he told Puro Boca (via Bolavip).

“Today he is just beginning his career in Europe, but on the way back when he decides to settle in Argentina again, he will surely want to play in Boca, even if it is for a while, to finish thanking and demonstrating the level that it can have in a club of this nature in Argentina.

“Normally the next [transfer window] will find him playing in another institution, we don’t know which one.

“The talks are just beginning in general, but it is most likely that Alexis will already be playing in another team next July.”

While Brighton haven’t placed an official valuation on Mac Allister, varying outlets have priced him in the £60m-£70m range.

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