A risky cash-plus-player deal involving a player Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi admires has been floated, and if successful, it could be Chelsea and not Liverpool who sign Alexis Mac Allister.

The Argentine World Cup winner is poised to leave Brighton this summer. His father – former Argentine international, Carlos Mac Allister – has admitted Alexis will likely be at a new club come July.

Fabrizio Romano reported it’s “100 percent likely” Mac Allister departs the AMEX this summer. TyC Sports recently revealed Brighton have given the greenlight to offers being made for their prized midfielder.

The Argentine outlet claimed offers totalling at least £70m are required before Brighton accept. But with Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelsea all in the running, a transfer fee of that size should not be a problem.

TyC Sports claimed Liverpool are “best positioned” to win the race. There have even been reports of a verbal agreement over personal terms already being in place.

However, according to a fresh report from the Daily Express, it could be Chelsea who emerge victorious when the dust settles.

The outlet reiterate Chelsea are indeed interested in bringing Mac Allister to Stamford Bridge. Current engine room option Mateo Kovacic is tracking to leave the club this summer, with Man Utd, Man City and Bayern Munich all interested.

To beat Liverpool to the punch, the Express outline a plan of action Chelsea could deploy. Per the report, centre-back Levi Colwill could hold the key to unlocking a Mac Allister transfer.

Colwill to swing Mac Allister deal Chelsea’s way?

The 20-year-old defender is currently on loan at Brighton and is earning rave reviews for his mature displays.

Colwill meshes perfectly with De Zerbi’s possession-based game given his remarkable comfort on the ball. Brighton do not have an option to buy in the loan deal, though the Express float the idea Colwill could be included as a makeweight that would see Mac Allister join Chelsea.

The publication state the Blues could be willing to sacrifice Colwill if it means snatching Mac Allister from under Liverpool’s nose.

Even if Thiago Silva returns to Brazil with Fluminense, incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino would still have a glut of options in Colwill’s centre-back position.

Indeed, Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly, Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah are already on the books. Marc Cucurella can also play on the left side of a three if Pochettino persists with a back five.

When speaking in a press conference on Friday, Brighton boss De Zerbi did not hide his admiration of Colwill.

“It’s difficult to find another (left) centre-back with his quality,” said De Zerbi.

Football Insider previously reported Chelsea would be extremely reluctant to sell Colwill this summer. The academy graduate looks a future England international in the making and including him as a makeweight would unquestionably be a gamble.

However, it’s an avenue that is open to the Blues if they’re determined to snare Mac Allister and is one the Express are adamant could be explored.

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