Arsenal make Mac Allister transfer decision; Arteta identifies two new defensive targets
Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister will not be target for Arsenal in the January transfer window, according to reports.
The Argentina international was in great form for Brighton before the World Cup break with five goals in their 14 Premier League fixtures.
And he was brilliant for Argentina as he contributed a goal and an assist on their way to winning the World Cup by beating France in the final on penalties.
His performances have attracted admiring glances from other clubs and Brighton CEO Paul Barber recently revealed the Seagulls “were working on a new contract for Alexis in the build-up to the World Cup.”
Barber added: “As we’ve always said, when players do well, when their profile increases, there’s always going to be interest in them.
“And this will be no different, Alexis is no different, there was interest in him before the World Cup and I’m sure there will be more interest in him afterwards.”
The Daily Mail claims that ‘Arsenal, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid are interested’ in Mac Allister but that he is not a ‘priority’ for the January window as far as the Gunners are concerned.
Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has been reflecting on Mac Allister’s World Cup, he told talkSPORT: “I mean, he has been unbelievable. What a tournament he has had. I couldn’t believe how fantastic he was.
“I thought he was exceptional, I can’t believe he is at Brighton. I think big clubs are going to come in looking for him. We signed Bissouma. I mean, why did we sign when we could have got Mac Allister?
“If you are Newcastle, Man United, Liverpool, even Man City. I would be looking at Mac Allister and going, ‘I will tell you what. That is some player we could have in our side’.”
Mac Allister has played a key role in Brighton’s impressive Premier League position with Roberto De Zerbi’s side currently eighth in the standings.
Comparing former boss Graham Potter and De Zerbi, Mac Allister recently said: “They have many things in common. Both want to keep possession and press high, but in terms of daily work, it’s all different.
“De Zerbi is more focused on tactics, his sessions are less heavy physically, but you must always be focused on a mental level. Both methods are intriguing, both are extraordinary coaches.
“During Roberto’s first days, we struggled to find the style of play he required, but now we have improved and all of England, I would say all of Europe, can see that we play good football and have interesting ideas.”
Despite not going after Mac Allister, Arsenal could look to strengthen elsewhere with Italian website Calciomercato insisting that the ‘strongest and the most concrete’ interest in Real Vallodolid right-back Ivan Fresneda is coming from the Gunners and Newcastle United.
The La Liga side are ‘ready to sell’ in January if they get an offer between €15m and €20m for the 18-year-old, who has represented Spain’s under-18 side four times.
Another potential target is the ‘new Matthijs de Ligt’ with Calciomercato claiming Juventus youngster Dean Huijsen facing an ‘uncertain future’ in Turin.
Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are all interested in Huijsen with his deal expiring in just 18 months.
READ MORE: Transfer gossip: Arsenal could get second chance to sign £55m ‘top priority’ as Barca panic
