Chelsea's interest in Alexis Mac Allister has cooled with Liverpool now the clear front-runners to sign the Brighton midfielder, football.london understands.
As reported last month, the Blues hold an interest in the Argentina World Cup winner but that has cooled in recent weeks with Liverpool stepping up their pursuit of the midfielder. It's understood and reported elsewhere that the Reds have made Mac Allister one of their midfield priorities ahead of the summer transfer window and the club are confident they can land his signature.
Chelsea have been very impressed with Mac Allister's development this season down at Brighton. The midfielder has been one of the key figures for the Seagulls in what looks set to be a record-breaking season for them and he also shone for Argentina in their World Cup success towards the back end of 2022.
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Mac Allister wants to leave Brighton this summer, football.london understands, despite the club's success this season. However, despite Chelsea's keen interest, it looks as if the Argentine will be swapping the Amex Stadium for Anfield rather than Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool's interest in Mac Allister will not impact their pursuit of Chelsea's Mason Mount either. The Reds are still keen to take advantage of uncertainty over the England international's future in west London with just over 12 months remaining on his contract.
Mount and Chelsea recently reopened talks over extending his stay but at the time of writing there is no indication anything has changed. Before talks resumed, the two parties were some way off in what they believed was a suitable contract offer, casting serious question marks over his future at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool remain interested in Mount and Anfield remains a genuine possibility for the midfielder this summer if there is no success in the ongoing negotiations. There is a school of thought, too, that Mount is waiting to see who the new head coach will be before making a definitive decision over his future.
That looks as if it is going to be Mauricio Pochettino, who is said to be a huge admirer of Mount. At the moment, Mount is after more money than Chelsea are prepared to offer but that could change depending on Pochettino's stance on the 24-year-old.
If it gets to the summer and nothing is resolved, football.london understands Chelsea would want something in the region of £70million for the midfielder's services. However, Liverpool would definitely try to force that price down because of the midfielder's contract situation and could call Chelsea's bluff with the Blues knowing about the risk of losing him on a free transfer in just over 12 months' time.
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