Journalist says Liverpool are now confident that 24-year-old is about to sign for them

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Liverpool are confident of signing Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton, after offering the Argentinian a contract.

Mac Allister looks set to be the Reds main focus of the transfer window, as they try and tie up an early summer deal. And now, according to journalist Ben Jacobs for CaughtOffside, Liverpool are ‘feeling positive’ that the 24-year-old will join them.

“Liverpool plan to strengthen in midfield and are instead looking at Alexis Mac Allister,” writes Jacobs. “My sources tell me they feel positive after approaching the player side. As previously reported in this column, there is also a belief that Mason Mount is a possibility, with a number of clubs monitoring his situation.”

Good news, then. Although Jacobs did also offer a word of warning on another potential Reds target – Ryan Gravenberch.

“Ryan Gravenberch is admired as well, and Liverpool have a historical interest there,” he said. “I sense that one will depend on Thomas Tuchel. Although Gravenberch is open to a move, Bayern’s current position is that they don’t want to sell.”

Jacobs down plays Ugarte links

As we approach the end of the season, Liverpool’s summer targets are becoming quite a bit clearer. Mac Allister, Mount and Gravenberch appear to be the three most likely to join as things stand.

There has been a fourth player linked very heavily over the last couple of weeks – Sporting destroyer Manuel Ugarte.

And Jacobs offers an update on these links, too. Just like we’ve seen from a couple of other outlets this week, the journalist pours cold water on the claims that Ugarte is heading to Anfield.

“There is a lot of talk about Manuel Ugarte moving this summer after some eye-catching performances this season,” writes Jacobs. “The first thing to stay is Ruben Amorim wants to keep the Uruguayan midfielder. But Sporting are prepared to negotiate, so a summer move (even against the manager’s wishes) is very possible. And Ugarte has a release clause of £52m.

“Jorge Chiljane, one of Ugarte’s representatives, did fuel Liverpool links, whilst adding there are other interested parties. And as Fabrizio Romano reports, three Premier League clubs are considering Ugarte with Jorge Mendes handling his future this summer. But my understanding is Liverpool are not one of those clubs. They have not advanced anything and the chances of Ugarte ending up at Anfield are being firmly downplayed by multiple sources close to the club.”

Of course, this could all be bluster from the sources in question. Liverpool, like most clubs, have been known to play their fair bit of smoke and mirrors in the transfer market. But they could also be telling the complete truth. For now, we’ll take it at face value.

Consequently, if Liverpool only sign two midfielders this summer, we expect them to be Mac Allister and Mount. If a third is added, that seems likely to be Gravenberch. Other supporters may have differing views, but we’d be happy with that. Feeling positive indeed.