Liverpool make Arsenal’s move for Arteta’s ‘obsession’ even ‘harder’ with ‘early’ swoop for £70m man
Brighton star Alexis Mac Allister reportedly ‘wants to move early’ in the summer and Liverpool are ‘more likely’ to sign him than Moises Caicedo.
Mac Allister has been one of the Premier League’s standout performers this season and he also shone for Argentina last year as he helped them win the World Cup.
His form is expected to earn him a big move away from Brighton this summer. This will be a blow for the Seagulls, who are on track to qualify for the Europa League.
Earlier this week, it was claimed that Liverpool are ‘leading the chase for Mac Allister, who could cost as much as £70m.
Mac Allister is not the only Brighton player who could leave the club before next season. Moises Caicedo is also attracting interest from elsewhere.
The midfielder was pursued by Arsenal and Chelsea in January. It is now being reported that Mikel Arteta’s side ‘remain interested’ in the Ecuador international.
Arteta is said to be ‘obsessed’ with Caicedo and he apparently wants Arsenal to acquire him ‘at all costs’.
Ben Jacobs is reporting that Caicedo ‘could still end up at Arsenal’ but Declan Rice is their ‘top target’.
‘The last thing Brighton will want is to lose Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister if they have Europa League football,’ Jacobs wrote for Caught Offside.
‘There is huge interest in both players. Mac Allister wants to move early. He is high up on Liverpool’s list and Manchester United appreciate him, too. Caicedo could still end up at Arsenal, even though West Ham’s Declan Rice remains the top defensive-midfield target.’
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Jacobs adds that it may become ‘even harder’ for Arsenal ‘to strike a deal with Brighton’ for Caicedo ‘if Mac Allister goes first’.
‘Brighton never directly quoted a price on Caicedo. It’s not how they work when they don’t want to engage or sell,’ Jacobs added.
‘The summer may be different and crucially is a longer window. Caicedo would be a great fit at Arsenal, but striking a deal with Brighton won’t be easy – and may be even harder, or at least drawn out, if Mac Allister goes first. The Seagulls still have all the control because of how they handled their star names.
‘There are other Premier League clubs looking at Caicedo as well. Chelsea obviously placed a bid in January as well. They will bring in another midfielder, but who will now depend on input from the new manager, most likely Pochettino.
‘Liverpool have held a long-standing interest in Caciedo, dating back to his time at Independiente del Valle. But they never bid in January and Mac Allister is more likely at this stage.’
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