Brighton star Alexis Mac Allister could be the next player to complete a transfer away from the Seagulls following a sensational last six months. Marc Cucurella, Ben White, Leandro Trossard, Yves Bissouma and Neal Maupay have all left the club to join other Premier League teams following successful stints on the south coast.
Moises Caicedo looked set to be the next man to secure a big-money transfer with both Chelsea and Arsenal sending bids in the January transfer window. Brighton stood firm though and Caicedo signed a new contract just a few months later. Kaoru Mitoma's impeccable scoring form this season then meant it was highly possible he would be the next to depart, however a different attacker could actually be the man set for a summer exit.
After playing a huge role in Argentina's World Cup triumph, Mac Allister was strongly linked with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham ahead of the January window. His father, Carlos, has since delivered multiple updates on the transfer future of his son.
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"For now, he is at Brighton," Carlos told TyC Sports, via SportWitness in February. "It seems to me a very good thing that he has returned from the World Cup and has not despaired about leaving, enjoying success calmly and in peace, in a team that loves him very much. The reception he received has been the best. He is very well in the club,”
“We all know that in July there will be possibilities to be able to leave. But prior to the World Cup, Alexis renewed his contract so that the club also has the opportunity of an important transfer, so that a lot can reach Brighton. It’s the idea.”
With the summer window looming, talk of Mac Allister departing Brighton has heightened and he is someone Chelsea very much like and is one of the many names on the club's radar ahead of the summer, a source has told football.london.
Carlos has once again been discussing the likelihood of his son securing a move away at the end of the season. While his comments usually don't give too much away, the 55-year-old could have subtly hinted at Mac Allister's preference between Arsenal and Chelsea.
“Clubs are starting to call us for Alexis but there are no concrete talks now”, he told ESPN via Fabrizio Romano. We’ll decide together with Brighton, they deserve respect. We will pick the best project, based on the coach too — it’s not about money."
Which team have a better manager, project and finances available is obviously subjective. However, it would be difficult to argue that Mikel Arteta is not a better coach than Graham Potter at the moment, while each clubs projects appear to be clear, although Arsenal seem further along in their major plans.
The clear difference does appear to be financial with Chelsea coming off the back of a £323million spend in January. Carlos' final few words hint that the financial power of an interested club does not matter which could hand a clear advantage to Arsenal, who are in the market for a midfielder.
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