Liverpool are more likely to sign Alexis Mac Allister than Moises Caicedo from Brighton this summer.
The Reds have been strongly linked with a move for both players as they look to revamp their midfield in the transfer window. But as per journalist Ben Jacobs, it’s currently a safer bet that Mac Allister will end up at Anfield.
“Alexis Mac Allister is another player to watch, and from Liverpool’s perspective more so than his Brighton teammate Moises Caicedo,” Jacobs wrote for CaughtOffside.
However, the journalist also suggested that a deal for the Argentinian may not be straightforward either. Having seen his value sky-rocket over the last six months, Brighton are said to be holding all the cards. Encouragingly though, Mac Allister does appear to be pushing for a move.
“Like Caicedo, Mac Allister signed a new deal quite recently, just before the World Cup, but is still pushing for a move. Manchester United are also considering him,” he said. “Mac Allister won’t come cheap (Brighton players never do), especially considering those tracking Mac Allister before the World Cup had a ballpark of under £40m.
“Now Brighton have all the control and will want a lot more money than that. They also really won’t want to lose Mac Allister and Caicedo in the same window either, especially if they qualify for Europe.”
Liverpool weighing up Brighton duo
Ask a random poll of Liverpool fans and they’d probably tell you we need Caicedo more than his Brighton teammate this summer.
The Ecuadorian looks like the complete midfield player. He’s more than capable of playing deeper or slightly more advanced. As a result, Caicedo looks to have the potential to solve a lot of Liverpool’s issues by himself. Plenty of supporters will be hoping for links to the Reds to come to fruition this summer.
But that doesn’t mean that Mac Allister wouldn’t be a superb signing too. A little in the Gini Wijnaldum mould, the 24-year-old is more attacking than Caicedo, but at the very least would provide the legs the Reds badly need.
Under Jurgen Klopp, it’s exciting to think what the Argentina international would become. Certainly, former Premier League goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer thinks he would be a good fit at Anfield. The Australian called Mac Allister ‘unbelievable’ during a recent, glowing assessment.
The only stumbling block is perhaps the same one that’s preventing Liverpool from going for Caicedo too. You guessed it, the price-tag.
As Jacobs says, Mac Allister’s has increased alarmingly over the course of this season. If claims that Brighton want £70m for him end up being correct, then you can’t blame Liverpool for walking away. But as things stand, they appear confident of getting a slightly better deal than that.