Liverpool are reportedly set to be snubbed by Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister as he has already decided that he wants to sign for Juventus.
Mac Allister has been a regular for Brighton over the past couple of seasons and he has been in sensational form this term.
The 25-year-old scored five goals in 14 Premier League games before the World Cup and he was one of the surprise stars in Qatar.
The midfielder played six times at the tournament as Argentina went all the way to win the World Cup for the third time.
His form at the World Cup led to reports linking him with a move to Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Then on Thursday morning, it was claimed that Liverpool have joined the race to sign him with his valuation reportedly set at £34m.
They look to strengthen their midfield after signing Cody Gakpo from PSV for a fee up to £44m.
It is well and truly silly season even though the winter transfer window does not open for a few more days.
So it comes as no surprise that Gazzetta dello Sport (via The Express) are reporting that Mac Allister has already ‘picked his next club’ and he is apparently set to snub Liverpool.
This is because he has ‘informed’ Serie A side Juventus that he wants to join them next.
The Italian outlet are understood to have interest in Mac Allister and former Real Madrid star Isco. The Spaniard is a free agent as he recently left Sevilla.
A separate report from Sport Mediaset notes that Juventus are willing to ‘sacrifice’ Weston McKennie to boost their pursuit of Mac Allister and Isco.
It is suggested that McKennie could leave in January ‘if the right offer arrives’ after he impressed for the USA at the World Cup.
They add that Juventus would like to ‘get ahead of competition’ and sign Mac Allister before more clubs express interest in him.
This should very much be taken with a pinch of salt as this news comes after it was claimed that Jude Bellingham has ‘snubbed’ Liverpool with him ‘telling his entourage’ that he intends to join Real Madrid.
Mac Allister may not end up with Liverpool but Graeme Souness thinks he will exit Brighton soon.
“He’s a top-four player and the big guys will be looking at him now and thinking, ‘We’ll have some of that’. He has proven he can play at the highest level and has already done it in the Premier League,” Souness wrote in the Daily Mail.
“There is very little risk attached to this boy. He can create, score and works his socks off – that type of player, they are hard to find.
“At 23, Brighton won’t be able to keep him for long and good luck trying to negotiate a new contract.”
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