Liverpool recruits World Cup champion

Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign 2022 World Cup winning midfielder Alexis Mac Allister for less than $55 million.

According to Sky Sports , Liverpool have completed negotiations with Brighton to sign Mac Allister - who has a release clause of between $55 million and $70 million. In October 2023, the Argentine midfielder signed a new contract with Brighton until the summer of 2025, with the option to activate a further 12 months.

Previously, transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano used the familiar phrase "Let's go" to confirm that Liverpool reached an agreement to recruit Mac Allister for a fee of approximately 55 million USD.

McAllister kisses the FIFA World Cup trophy during Argentina's coronation ceremony at the 2022 World Cup. Photo: PA

The Argentine midfielder has also agreed terms on a five-year contract with Liverpool. On June 6, Mac Allister arrived at Anfield to undergo a medical , speak directly with manager Jurgen Klopp and sign the contract. An official announcement will be made later this week.

Chelsea and Manchester United have also held talks with Brighton, but Mac Allister has his sights set on a move to Liverpool. The 24-year-old midfielder wants to finalise his future before joining up with Argentina next week for two friendlies against Australia in Beijing, China on June 15, and Indonesia at the Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta on June 19.

Mac Allister will be Liverpool's first new signing in the summer of 2023. Klopp wants to "revamp" the squad when Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League and missed out on the Champions League next season. In particular, the German coach prioritizes refreshing the midfield when Naby Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all left the club due to the end of their contracts, while Arthur Melo returned to Juventus when his loan period ended.

After completing the Mac Allister deal, Liverpool also want to recruit Khephren Thuram, a 22-year-old midfielder from Nice, and Manu Kone, a French midfielder from M'Gladbach. Transfermarkt currently values Thuram at $35 million and Kone at $32 million.

Mac Allister joined Brighton from Argentinos Juniors in January 2019, but spent the second half of the season with the Argentine club. He continued to play for Boca Juniors on loan for the first half of the 2019-20 season, and officially arrived at the Amex Stadium in January 2020.

Mac Allister competes for the ball in the air with Gakpo during Brighton's 2-1 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round in January. Photo: The Times

This season, the Argentine midfielder has been in great form with 12 goals in all competitions, helping Brighton finish sixth in the Premier League and qualify for the European Cup for the first time in their 121-year history. In total, Mac Allister has scored 20 goals and assisted nine in 112 games for Brighton.

Mac Allister also made a splash when he started six matches, including the final win over France on penalties, on Argentina's journey to conquer the 2022 World Cup.

Hong Duy

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