Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister in a reported £35 million transfer.
The World Cup winner represents Liverpool’s first summer arrival, having signed a five-year contract with the Reds. He will wear the number ten jersey.
Mac Allister has been a long-term target for Liverpool since flourishing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, helping his nation to football’s holy grail.
He is expected to be the first of several players that could arrive at Anfield this summer, with Liverpool planning a major squad rebuild following the departures of Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner.
The midfield has been identified as a core area that requires reinforcement, and Mac Allister will prove to be a shrewd acquisition for the Reds.
“It feels amazing – it’s a dream come true, it’s amazing to be here, and I can’t wait to get started,” Mac Allister said (via Liverpoolfc.com) after completing his move to Merseyside.
“I wanted to be in [from] the first day of pre-season, so it’s good that everything is done. I’m looking forward to meeting my teammates.
“It was a fantastic year for me – World Cup, what we achieved with Brighton – but now it’s time to think about Liverpool and try to be a better player and a better human being every day.
“Since I arrived here, I can see how big this club is – the players we have, the staff, everyone. I’m really pleased and looking forward to playing for this club.”
Liverpool have not disclosed the fee, but the overall deal for the 24-year-old midfielder is understood to be worth around £35m.
The price represents a coup for someone of Mac Allister’s quality, but it meets the release clause in the contract he signed with Brighton before the World Cup.
Liverpool are also interested in Mac Allister’s former teammate Moises Caicedo although the Reds are reluctant to open talks for the Ecuadorian midfielder due to the exorbitant asking price.
