Liverpool are closing in on a deal for Brighton star Alexis Mac Allister - and have beaten great rivals Manchester United to his signature in the process.
The Argentine midfielder is on the verge of completing a move to Anfield and is expected to undergo a medical with the Reds before going through the formalities of the move. Mac Allister will become Liverpool ’s first signing of what is expected to be a busy summer window for Jurgen Klopp and new sporting director Jorg Schmadkte.
Whilst the club hierarchy will be delighted to kick-off the club’s rebuild with the World Cup winner’s arrival, there is also a huge bonus behind the deal - that Man United can’t sign him. According to The Athletic, the Red Devils had looked at Mac Allister ahead of a potential swoop.
Erik ten Hag was interested but the midfielder’s preference for a move to Liverpool forced him to look elsewhere for recruits. It is not the first-time that the Reds and United have gone head-to-head in the transfer market.
Both clubs were linked with a move for Dutch forward Cody Gakpo, with the striker himself thinking that he was on his way to Old Trafford last summer, whilst they also revisited their interest in January. He also revealed that he had turned to Red Devils’ icon Ruud van Nistelrooy for advice over his future.
"It was difficult this summer. It was a very intense period," he said. "I tried to find my peace, but it was difficult.
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"I thought I was going to Manchester United, but in the end it didn’t work out. Leeds United came in. They are a good club, but I asked myself if I should really go there and when you have a lot of doubts, it is not good.”
Gakpo eventually got his move to the Premier League as he joined Liverpool in a £35m deal in January. He has since suggested that he was instantly keen on a switch to Anfield.
“I heard about Liverpool's interest - and I think five days later the deal was done,” he added. “My manager and brother knew about it for a longer time, but I said to them at the World Cup not to tell me anything because I have to focus. As soon as I heard about the interest, the feeling was: 'Come on, let's go'.”
Gakpo, 24, has since gone on to make 26 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, scoring seven goals. He was not the only Dutch star to have been linked with both the Reds and United.
Jurrien Timber was reported to be a prime target for both clubs but ended up staying with Ajax for the 2022/23 campaign. The defender is expected to be subject to even more interest in the incoming window.
