Done deal First summer signing agreed as £69.4 fee is struck and player ‘says…

Liverpool are reportedly on the brink of finalising the signing of Alexis Mac Allister after reports in his native Argentina offered a favourable update for the Merseysiders.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is looking for new midfield recruits this summer after what has been a largely-forgetable campaign. Indeed, the Merseysiders will likely have it confirmed on Thursday evening that they will compete in next season’s Europa League with Manchester United set to grab the final Champions League place if they claim at least a draw at home to Chelsea.

And that will represent the first time Liverpool have had to compete in UEFA’s second-tier competition since 2016.

Having also failed to win any silverware this season, the 2022/23 campaign will not go down in the history books.

However, widespread plans are afoot to rebuild the Liverpool midfield and restore the Reds to greatness. The Merseysiders have struggled at times in that department this season, occasionally being overrun by more youthful engine rooms.

But with James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita leaving at the end of their deals, Klopp will allocate a vast portion of his summer spending on new midfielders. To that end, reports suggest he wants at least three new additions there this summer.

The identity of that trio remains to be seen. Needless to say, though, the Reds have been linked with a string of options. Indeed, this list looks at how the stats compare for their top five targets.

Now with a new sporting director in situ, Liverpool are pressing on with their summer recruitment plans.

And it seems a deal for World Cup winning midfielder Mac Allister will be the first deal over the line.

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Alexis Mac Allister move to Liverpool close

Now according to Argentina outlet TyC Sports, Mac Allister has now agreed to join Liverpool this summer. He played his final game for Brighton at the AMEX on Wednesday night as they drew 1-1 with Manchester City to seal Europa League qualification.

The 24-year-old midfielder was not a starter for Roberto De Zerbi’s side. But he did enter the field as a second-half substitute, receiving a standing ovation at full-time.

He had been linked with a late move to Manchester City. However, TyC reports that Mac Allister has now given his word to the Reds.

He will officially say his goodbyes to Brighton on Sunday following their final game of the season at Aston Villa.

And per the report, Liverpool have agreed a £69.4m (€80m) fee for his services.

Mac Allister is expected to sign an initial four-year deal at Anfield, in a deal that will see him triple his wages to £150,000 a week.

The Seagulls had been hoping to keep him, but were powerless to prevent him leaving. That’s after a clause in his new deal helped facilitate a move away from the south coast this summer.

To that end, Mac Allister – who has scored 12 goals this season – will leave with the club’s best wishes.

He will be looking to continue his excellent form at Liverpool next season and offer the Reds more of a goal threat from midfield. That is something that Liverpool have badly lacked since Philippe Coutinho’s 2018 move to Barcelona, and something they hope Mac Allister can redress.

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