Who is Alexis Mac Allister? Brighton's Argentina midfielder linked with Chelsea

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 4 min read

Alexis Mac Allister has been linked with a move to Chelsea having been one of Brighton's best players for a few seasons now - but nothing will happen before a World Cup alongside Lionel Messi with Argentina this winter…

Mac Allister joined Brighton from Argentinos Juniors for just €8 million in January 2019 and was immediately loaned back to his first club for the remainder of the Premier League season. Another loan to Boca Juniors followed before he eventually settled on the south coast.

Now a full Argentina international who has made the cut for Lionel Scaloni's World Cup squad, Mac Allister has blossomed into one of the Premier League's best midfielders who has averaged three shot-creating actions and tackles over the last year, his value has unsurprisingly risen to €22.8m per Football Transfers in-house algorithm.

READ: Why Liverpool are targeting the wrong Brighton midfielder

What position does Mac Allister play in>

Mac Allister is a diminutive midfielder who can operate just as well at the No.10 position as he can deeper or wider on the field. Graham Potter employed multiple formations at Brighton and his successor at Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi, has followed suit. Mac Allister has flourished under both.

How good is Mac Allister?

Good enough to make an Argentina squad that includes Messi in it but humble enough to be too shy to speak to him!

"To play with Messi is a dream," he told Sky Sports recently. "It was amazing the first time. To be honest, off the pitch, I don't speak too much with him because I'm a very shy guy and I don't want to bother him!"

What clubs are interested in Mac Allister?

Brighton's scouts did a brilliant job with Mac Allister, and they managed to acquire him without much competition three years ago, but his Premier League performances have attracted interest since.

Potter and Marc Cucurella made the move to Chelsea this summer, and the Blues appear to be at the front of the queue should Mac Allister make the same move, with N'Golo Kante and Jorginho both out of contract next summer.

READ: The five Brighton stars Potter could bring with him to Chelsea

When does Mac Allister's contract expire?

Mac Allister's current deal at the Falmer Stadium runs until 30 June 2025 and includes the option to extend by a further year.

How old is Mac Allister?

Born on Christmas Eve of 1998, Mac Allister is 23 at the time of writing.

What is Mac Allister's Instagram?

Alexis Mac Allister's Instagram has 462K followers as of November 2022.