Arsenal have an interest in Brighton and Hove Albion star Alexis Mac Allister but rumours linking them with Leandro Trossard are just ‘false’.
That’s according to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs, who was speaking on Egal Talks Football on Tuesday.
Reports from AS claim that Arsenal are now joining Atletico Madrid in the race to sign Mac Allister from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Some may wonder if that was just some post-World Cup hype after Mac Allister turned in a superb display against France in the final.
Yet Jacobs claims the interest is real as Arsenal have been looking at Mac Allister with a view to potentially bidding for him down the line.
“Arsenal have looked at Mac Allister because he ticks that box of being a goalscoring midfielder with a lot of energy, with a high tempo, a direct passer, isn’t afraid to go in for a tackle and has got good vision and awareness.”
Mac Allister isn’t the only Brighton player who has been touted for Arsenal with teammate Leandro Trossard also linked.
However, Jacobs claims that Trossard being linked to clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool is simply false as neither club are interested.
“Trossard is being offered around, his agent is fuelling a lot of false interest including with Arsenal and Liverpool but my understanding is that neither club is interested in Trossard,” he added.
Mac Allister makes more sense for Arsenal than Trossard
Trossard has enjoyed a great season so far, racking up seven goals and two assists in 14 Premier League games.
Yet Trossard is already 28 and he just doesn’t seem to fit into Arsenal’s idea of signing young players with resale value.
The Belgian has real talent and may attract plenty of interest from other clubs but a move to Arsenal just doesn’t add up.
As for Mac Allister, the Argentinian is so good both on and off the ball that you can understand why Mikel Arteta may fancy him.
Mac Allister can play as a central midfielder, wide midfielder and playmaker, potentially making him ideal for the wide playmaker role in Arteta’s system.
The age makes more sense too; Mac Allister turns 24 on Christmas Eve and fits the mould Edu and Arteta tend to target.
Brighton will command a huge fee for Mac Allister though, with a huge profit expected on the £7million they paid for him in 2019.
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