Liverpool are plotting a swoop to sign Brighton pair Alexis Max Allister and Moises Caicedo this summer.
That’s according to Italian outlet Calciomercato. They claim that the Reds have more than a passing interest in adding both players to their midfield ahead of next season.
Mac Allister appears to be the primary target, but Brighton will reportedly ask for a minimum of £66m. This would put him out of reach of another supposed suitor – Juventus – with the Argentine reportedly destined to join a big Premier League side instead.
With that in mind, Manchester City are also said to be keeping tabs on Mac Allister. Pep Guardiola is claimed to have been ‘bewitched’ by the 24-year-old and now sees him as a top target.
Meanwhile, Caicedo reportedly remains on Liverpool’s radar too. The Reds are said to have made a bid to sign the Ecuadorian in January and it’s claimed that they’ll try again in the summer.
Double trouble for Liverpool on the South Coast
It certainly seems possible that both of these players are on Liverpool’s list of midfield targets. But we can say with a good deal of certainty that they won’t get both of them.
That isn’t necessarily for a lack of will on the Reds’ part, though. Mac Allister and Caicedo between them have the potential to fix Liverpool’s midfield in the short and long-term.
Rather, to get the pair out of Brighton is going to cost an extraordinary amount.
£66m for Mac Allister is high enough, but the Seagulls are reportedly looking for even more to sell Caicedo. Known to drive the hardest of bargains, negotiations would likely be painful, long and expensive for Liverpool.
So, unless Brighton are keen to do a package deal, it’s probably best trying to sign only one of their South American stars.
Opinions will differ on which one that should be. Caicedo is younger, possibly has a higher ceiling and has been tracked for ages. As teammate Adam Webster once said, he’s ‘incredible.’ He would seem the natural fit. But there’s just something about Mac Allister that makes you think he might just be perfect for Liverpool…
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