Mac Allister transfer could be close with Liverpool and Man Utd eyeing 'mystery clause'

Suraj Radia

• 8 May 2023 16:54 BST
• 2 min read

The future of Alexis Mac Allister could be resolved in the coming weeks, with Liverpool and Manchester United pressing hardest for the Brighton midfielder, however the revelation of a release clause could complicate matters for interested parties.

MacAllister has emerged as a standout performer for Brighton this season, grabbing nine Premier League goals from midfield, and he also featured for Argentina in their victorious 2022 World Cup campaign.

The 24-year-old is expected to leave Brighton this summer after four seasons with the club and Liverpool are understood to have made the strongest attempt to sign him so far, having submitted personal terms to Mac Allister’s camp in recent days.

Mac Allister has still yet to decide which team he wishes to sign for, with the likes of United, Arsenal and Chelsea all monitoring the situation, and a deal is not expected to cause an issue for Brighton.

Brighton handed Mac Allister a new contract until 2025 in October and David Ornstein of The Athletic has claimed that, while the deal doesn’t contain a direct release clause, there is a ‘complex feature’ allowing Brighton some say over a transfer.

While the specifics are unknown, Ornstein states that Mac Allister’s contract has a ‘mechanism which can be used to facilitate a move’, something which has encouraged clubs to step up their interest.

Why Liverpool lead the chase for Mac Allister

Liverpool are currently understood to be frontrunners for Mac Allister as they look to revitalise their midfield with at least two signings, having dropped out the race to sign Jude Bellingham.

Jurgen Klopp’s side had positioned themselves towards signing Bellingham in the past two seasons but Dortmund’s asking price of more than £100 million has put Liverpool off, with Real Madrid now likely to close a deal for the 19-year-old.

Mac Allister is one of the Reds’ top targets but the club are also considering moves for the likes of Moises Caicedo, Declan Rice and Matheus Nunes, with a host of Liverpool’s midfielders expected to depart this summer.

The likes of United and Arsenal making a move for Mac Allister cannot be ruled out but Liverpool have made first contact with the player over a transfer and are expected to submit an opening bid of £60m to get their man.