Liverpool told Man Utd takeover outcome will hold key to chances of signing £62m Prem star
Liverpool will have a better chance of signing Alexis Mac Allister if the Manchester United takeover falls through, according to Stan Collymore.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claimed earlier on Monday that Liverpool are set for “direct talks” with £62m-rated Brighton midfielder Mac Allister over a summer move.
The Reds are desperate to sign at least a couple of midfielders in the summer transfer market as they look to give themselves a boost for next season after a disastrous 2022/23 campaign.
Man Utd are one of their rivals for Mac Allister’s signature but, with the Glazer family holding out for £6bn before allowing a takeover to go through, there are concerns that the sale of the club could impact their summer business.
And former Liverpool striker Collymore reckons the Reds could take advantage of the situation at Old Trafford ahead of the next transfer window.
Collymore wrote in his Caught Offside column: “I have recently seen reports that both Liverpool and Manchester United are in the running for Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister. This one is going to be interesting because it seems the player himself would like a deal completed quite quickly.
“I expect a lot to depend on who Manchester United’s new owners are come the end of the season though. If the Glazers do sell up and the Qataris take over, then I would say Old Trafford is where Mac Allister will go – simply because the Red Devils will then be able to put together a new attractive package.
“However, if that doesn’t happen then Liverpool will have a much better chance of signing the Argentine.
“He’s a very direct, very dynamic and very technical box-to-box midfielder, he is exactly what both clubs need but with Liverpool actively looking to rebuild their midfield, Mac Allister will know that he would play a majorly important role for Jurgen Klopp and that, to some players, is equally as important as money.”
Antony has been criticised a lot at Man Utd this season but he turned in a brilliant performance on Sunday as the Red Devils beat Nottingham Forest 2-0.
And, after watching Antony grab his first assist of the season, Collymore reckons he could become “one of the best attackers in Europe”.
Collymore added: “I really like Antony. I have said it before, he could do with bulking up physically, which always helps in the Premier League, but he’s a really exciting young player.
“The Brazillian had a great game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, I thought his assist for Diogo Dalot’s goal showed glimpses of how creative he can be for Manchester United. He still needs to add consistency to his game, but I expect that to come with time.
“Antony needs to focus more on beating his man and then playing the ball. The simple stuff is always the most effective and if he needs any pointers, then he doesn’t need to look any further than Jack Grealish at Manchester City.
“Grealish was, at times, guilty of overdoing it too, but Pep Guardiola has reminded him to do the simple stuff – pick the ball up, beat the first man and then either look for a pass, take a shot, or get a cross in. If Antony can apply the same basic stuff to his game then I expect him to go on to be one of the best attackers in Europe.”
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