Alexis Mac Allister is a target for Liverpool (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Liverpool are yet to open talks with Brighton over the signing of Alexis Mac Allister and the Seagulls are not ‘expecting’ contact from the Reds, according to reports.
Widespread reports earlier this week claimed Liverpool had taken an early lead in the race to sign the Argentine.
Jurgen Klopp wants to overhaul his midfield this summer and the World Cup winner is one of his key targets.
Mac Allister signed a new deal with the club before going to the World Cup, where his value skyrocketed after his sensational displays.
Reports had suggested Liverpool were confident of striking a deal for as low as £65m, which would be well short of the £85m valuation that Brighton have for fellow midfielder Moises Caicedo.
And the Athletic say the reports are premature, as Liverpool are ‘yet’ to open talks with Brighton.
Alexis Mac Allister is valued at around £80m (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
It’s even claimed that the Seagulls do not expect Liverpool to make a move, but that remains to be seen.
Jurgen Klopp has been playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in a midfield hybrid role in recent weeks and the England ace has excelled in a position that displays more of his creativity.
Speaking after the 1-0 win against Brentford, the German said Alexander-Arnold’s long-term position will depend on who Liverpool sign this summer.
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Asked if the defender will continue in midfield, Klopp said: ‘I think so. Long term, we will see what we can do.
‘It depends on the new players we bring in and who can play in different positions, that’s clear, but it suits him extremely well.
‘I think the chance he set up for Darwin was, again, a very, very special ball to play there [and] he’s, defensively, extremely strong.’
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He’s tied down to a new long-term deal.