Brighton and Hove Albion CEO Paul Barber has distanced himself from reports suggesting Alexis Mac Allister has agreed personal terms with Premier League rivals Liverpool.
Earlier this year, Anfield icon Danny Murphy suggested that Jurgen Klopp needed not just one new midfielder but at least two.
Leading Liverpool target Alexis Mac Allister, however, is one of those rare footballers who could conceivably be described as a number of players rolled into one. A playmaker, a goalscorer and a ball-winner in one 5ft 9ins frame.
With ten Premier League goals this season, he is one of the top-flight’s most prolific players from the centre of the park. His 87 per cent pass completion rate and his average of two tackles per game, meanwhile, means Mac Allister also ranks highly when it comes to ball retention and ball-winning, as well as goalscoring (WhoScored).
The World Cup-winning Argentina international, then, is not merely a goalscoring option the likes of which Klopp hasn’t had in the centre of the park since Philippe Coutinho’s heyday, but a player who would also fit like a tailored suit in his high-pressing, hard-running ideals.
Liverpool closing in on Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister
With rivals Manchester United in stasis as the Glazers cling onto control with their grubby mitts, Liverpool are moving into pole position in pursuit of Mac Allister. Argentine publication TYC Sport say that a £70 million deal has been pretty much ‘agreed’.
Not that Barber was ever likely to confirm or deny those latest rumours, instead choosing to reflect on what has been an outstanding campaign both for player and club.
“If I lost sleep over every report that I read about one of our players then I wouldn’t be sleeping very much at all,” Barber tells talkSPORT when asked about TYC’s claims.
“At the moment, (Mac Allister) is focusing on doing what he can in our final two games.”
Brighton secured Europpean qualification for the very first time woth a 3-1 victory over Southampton. The only question is, will Roberto de Zerbi’s side be playing Europa or Conference League football?
“I saw him on the pitch looking very happy and, obviously, we would love him to be here next season,” Barber adds of Mac Allister.
“We know there is going to be a lot of clubs, not just in this country but around Europe and around the world, who are going to be wanting Alexis to play for them.
“At the moment, he is wearing blue and white stripes. I am delighted about that.”
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