Liverpool are on the brink of completing Alexis Mac Allister’s arrival from Brighton & Hove Albion, claims Fabrizio Romano.
Negotiations between the parties were launched two weeks ago after Jurgen Klopp instructed his new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke to bring the World Cup winner to Anfield.
Despite Manchester United’s interest in the 24-year-old, the Argentina international has his heart set on moving to Merseyside following an impressive four-year stint at the Amex Stadium.
Mac Allister will undergo his medicals within 48 hours before putting pen to paper on a long-term contract, with Liverpool expected to pay his release clause.
In contrast to recent reports saying the Reds may need to fork out upwards of £60 million, the Italian journalist insists it’ll take ‘way less’ to complete the deal.
Liverpool and Brighton have arranged the outlines of a fee in principle, and it’s now up to the Anfield outfit to finalise personal details with the former Argentinos Juniors midfielder.
With only the official announcement missing, Klopp is confident about securing his first major summer signing before the Reds move on to other targets.
It will be a busy summer for the German manager after the club decided against continuing with three long-serving midfielders in Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Their imminent departures will force Liverpool to add a few pieces to Klopp’s midfield jigsaw in the coming months, and Mac Allister’s arrival is only the beginning.
After putting himself on the world football map with impressive displays at the Qatar World Cup, the Argentine played a crucial role in guiding Brighton to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.
Helping the Seagulls seal a first-ever European qualification was the best way to say goodbye to the club that helped him become one of the most highly-rated players in England’s top flight.
Since swapping his homeland for Brighton in 2019, Mac Allister has tallied 112 appearances for the club, racking up 20 goals and nine assists in that span.
