Liverpool have secured the signing of midfielder Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton for a fee of £35m. The five-year contract includes additional provisions that could increase the total fee to £55m. Mac Allister, a talented playmaker from Argentina, played a crucial role in Brighton’s successful Premier League campaign, which saw them finish sixth and qualify for European competition for the first time. With 20 goals in 112 appearances for Brighton and a contribution to Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory, Mac Allister brings an impressive track record to Liverpool.
Expressing his excitement about the move, the 24-year-old stated, “It’s a dream come true, and I can’t wait to join Liverpool. I’m eager to meet my new teammates and start the preseason. While I had a fantastic year with Brighton and experienced the World Cup triumph, my focus now is on Liverpool. I aim to grow as a player and as an individual every day.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp targeted Mac Allister to bolster his midfield, as James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are set to leave Anfield this summer. Despite their interest in Jude Bellingham, Liverpool was unable to secure the young English talent due to financial constraints, with the player seemingly heading to Real Madrid for a fee of £88.5m.
Mac Allister initially joined Brighton in January 2019 from Argentinos Juniors, but he immediately returned to the Buenos Aires club on loan. He has represented Argentina 16 times, proving instrumental in their successful World Cup campaign, where he featured in all but the opening match against Saudi Arabia and excelled in the final against France.
Expressing his ambitions at Liverpool, Mac Allister said, “Since winning the World Cup, I have had a desire to win more trophies. I believe that this club will provide the platform for me to achieve that. Winning silverware is the objective when you are part of a big club like Liverpool. I am fully aware of the club’s magnitude, the talented players, the staff, and the overall setup. I am thrilled and eager to contribute to this club.”
Mac Allister took to Instagram to express his gratitude towards Brighton, saying, “It is time to bid farewell to the club that gave me incredible opportunities and unforgettable moments. I never anticipated experiencing what I did in these remarkable three and a half years, and I will forever be grateful for the chance Brighton provided me. I have no doubt that this team will achieve great things because they possess both footballing skills and human qualities. I will always support and watch them. Thank you so much, Seagulls; you will always hold a special place in my heart.”
The acquisition of Mac Allister represents another shrewd and impressive move by Liverpool. The versatile midfielder, who played a significant role in Argentina’s World Cup triumph and Brighton’s successful season, brings intelligence and adaptability to Liverpool’s midfield. With several departures and a summer rebuild in progress, Mac Allister’s arrival will undoubtedly excite fans and contribute to the club’s resurgence after a disappointing campaign. Julian Ward, the departing sporting director at Liverpool, played a crucial role in securing the deal, with Jorg Schmadtke set to assume responsibility for transfers as Ward’s replacement. Liverpool enthusiasts can look forward to comprehensive coverage of the club as they seek to ensure they never miss a moment of the action.
