Liverpool are unlikely to be able to sign both Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton this summer.
Both players appear to be on the Reds shortlist of potential midfield signings. But according to journalist Ben Jacobs’ latest update specifically on Mac Allister, Brighton are keen to avoid both players being sold in the same transfer window.
“As with Moises Caicedo, who also recently signed a new contract, a summer exit is still possible [for Mac Allister]. Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal have all looked at Mac Allister to differing degrees, but there is nothing advanced just yet ahead of the summer. Real Madrid and Milan are also keeping tabs,” Jacobs reports for CaughtOffside.
“Brighton want to hang on to Mac Allister for as long as possible, and if they qualify for Europe that will help. And they certainly won’t want to lose Mac Allister, Caicedo and Rob Sanchez in the same window. One Brighton outgoing is very likely to influence another.
“Brighton (even though they don’t openly quote prices) will be looking for in excess of £60m now [to sell Mac Allister]. Even that price is at the lower end of the scale. Brighton rejected £70m for Caicedo from Arsenal in January (and £55m from Chelsea, too) and will no doubt use the £107m paid for Enzo Fernandez as a yardstick should suitors come calling.
“The point is, the inflated market helps Brighton should they wish to sell. As a result, clubs chasing Mac Allister have held a lot of internal discussions about when the right time to move may be. And if it’s this summer, they know they’re going to have to pay big money and potentially get sucked into a bidding war. Brighton have all the control, which is why prising Mac Allister away isn’t a given and if he does leave it will be another fantastic bit of business for the Seagulls.”
Caicedo or Mac Allister but not both
With Jude Bellingham now off the table for Liverpool, other targets take on even greater importance. In that respect, Caicedo and Mac Allister are both interesting propositions.
On paper, both would make for super signings for Liverpool. Mac Allister has the look of an overdue Gini Wijnaldum replacement – dynamic, press resistant and incredibly athletic. Jurgen Klopp has been missing a player like the Argentine since, well, since Gini Wijnaldum left.
Caicedo on the other hand could be the perfect replacement for Fabinho. Although not quite a like-for-like as a No.6, the Ecuador international looks capable of filling that role at an elite club.
Both players have been claimed to be of interest to Liverpool. And it would actually solve a lot of the Reds’ issues to bring them both in at the same time. With each commanding a potential fee of around £70m, the two together would cost a similar amount to Bellingham alone.
But as Jacobs points out, Brighton are under no real pressure to sell. Having tied both players down to new contracts in the past six months, they hold all the cards. And they know it.
As a result of Liverpool needing to get deals done quickly this summer, they may pass on having to deal with Brighton. But if they do decide to negotiate with the Seagulls, it will be interesting to see which player becomes the centre of their attention. To our mind, we like the look of Mac Allister, but either would be an upgrade on what Liverpool have. A long summer awaits.
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