Man Utd ‘open talks’ to sign £70m Liverpool target as journalist explains why he’s ‘vulnerable’ to transfer

Man Utd have held talks with Alexis Mac Allister over a potential summer move from Brighton to Old Trafford, according to reports.

The World Cup winner has been in brilliant form for the Seagulls this season but it’s looking more and more likely that he will leave the club in the summer transfer window.

Both Man Utd and Liverpool have been heavily linked to the Argentina midfielder with Brighton reportedly valuing him at around £70m.

And transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that Man Utd have opened talks with the Mac Allister camp and hope to have more conversations in the coming weeks as they look to wrap up a deal.

Romano told the The United Stand YouTube channel: “Man Utd are in a formal situation with Mac Allister. They had some conversation with the player camp, so I can confirm that Manchester United are in the race to sign Mac Allister.

“What’s the point? It’s about how much they want to spend on a midfielder and again it’s about the club situation because Liverpool at this moment at obsessed with midfielders.

“So from what I understand they will speak again with the player’s camp in the next days and try to make a proposal. So they want to be fast on the Mac Allister story.

“On this deal, Mac Allister wants things to happen early in the window, he doesn’t want to wait until July or August to make his move, so it’s going to be important to understand if Man Utd will be able to move in the next month to make a proposal.”

Out of Brighton’s top players, talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook claims that Mac Allister looks like the star “most vulnerable” to a transfer.

Crook told GiveMeSport: “I think Mac Allister looks the most vulnerable just because his dad’s been quite vocal about the fact that he expects him to leave. There’s interest from Manchester United and Liverpool.

“Caicedo’s signed a new contract, so I think it would take a huge bid to get him away. I think they’re trying to get Mitoma tied to a new deal. So, if they lose anybody, it probably would be Mac Allister.

“But again, he only signed a new deal just before the World Cup. So that’s big money for him as well.”

As with Moises Caicedo in January, Brighton “have a lot of control” over a potential sale and CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs thinks the Seagulls have done well to protect the value of their players.

Jacobs told GiveMeSport: “With Mac Allister, he signed a new contract before the World Cup, but again, also would like a move in the summer. He’s worthy of a move as well, having been excellent for Brighton domestically and the best young player at the World Cup.

“So, Brighton have a lot of control. They’ve handled both players very well, because they’ve ensured that they’ve locked them down, which means they’ve protected their value.

“As a consequence, neither are going to come cheap. I think because Caicedo was rejected at £70m in January and now has signed a new deal, Liverpool won’t see any value in that.

“Whereas with Mac Allister, they might believe that the fee is more market value and there’s a deal to be had.”

READ MORE: The greatest Premier League runners-up ever: Liverpool to remain the best also-rans…