Journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Liverpool are set to see off Manchester City and sign Alexis Mac Allister.
Mac Allister has emerged as the Reds’ priority target to upgrade their midfield this summer. Over recent weeks a move has started to look inevitable.
And writing for CaughtOffside this morning, Romano has confirmed that despite some reports to the contrary, City are not set to hijack any deal. Instead, says the journalist, the World Cup winner joining Liverpool is ‘90% done.’
“Manchester City are not in the race for Alexis Mac Allister at this stage,” writes Romano. “No talks or concrete contacts, despite what you may have read elsewhere.
“Liverpool are close to a full agreement on personal terms with the player, it’s 90% done, they’re waiting on final details. There’s fixed amount/clause into his Brighton contract.”
Romano delivers good news for Liverpool
Throughout any transfer saga these days, Fabrizio Romano has become the man to trust for football fans. In Liverpool’s pursuit of Mac Allister, he has been an ever-present voice.
It’s interesting that the journalist has been so intent to report on the fixed amount in Mac Allister’s contract. The well-connected David Ornstein has seemingly been flummoxed by the details of the clause, while local Brighton journalist Andy Naylor was bullish over claims of its existence.
Obviously, we won’t know the ins and outs of that until the deal is announced. Perhaps even then the financial aspects won’t be released.
But, with Romano usually right on the money, it seems hopeful that Liverpool won’t have any trouble haggling over a fee.
Thankfully, it looks like Mac Allister himself also won’t need any persuading. There had been suggestions that the 24-year-old was only willing to join a Champions League club this summer. With the Reds now virtually certain to miss out on playing in that competition, that would have ruled out a move to Anfield.
Again, we won’t know until things are fully done and we shouldn’t count our chickens. But that also seems to have been wide of the mark.
Instead, Alexis could well line up against his soon-to-be-former club in the Europa League instead. What an occasion that would be.
Again, this isn’t done yet and with City and Chelsea lurking, you just never know. But we’re feeling good about this one!
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