"It is advanced" - Fabrizio Romano claims Premier League star is close to joining Liverpool

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Liverpool are in advanced talks with Brighton & Hove Albion over the transfer of Alexis Mac Allister. The Reds are desperate to add the Argentine to their midfield, but the deal is not over the line yet.

Liverpool reportedly made Mac Allister their top target after giving up on Jude Bellingham. The Englishman was slapped with a €150 million price tag by Borussia Dortmund, and the Reds opted to spend the money elsewhere.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Romano claimed that he was given the impression of the deal being close to completion last week. However, he has added that the deal is not yet signed and things could change quickly. He said:

"Mac Allister is one of the priority targets for Liverpool but it's not something completed. Let me clarify, because the feeling I had in the last few weeks was 'Okay, it's a done deal, Mac Allister will join Liverpool.' Not yet. It is advanced [discussions]. It's a 'yes' from the players' side [to negotiate] but it is not completed yet. And so I will keep that open at the moment."

Chelsea and Manchester United are also interested in Mac Allister this summer.

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Liverpool target keeping all options open

Alexis Mac Allister has not made a decision on his future and is keeping his options open. He has not ruled out staying at Brighton & Hove Albion and has claimed that he is happy at the club.

He told the media via 90Min:

"The truth is that I am very happy at the club, I try not to think about the future. I know there's a lot of talk and I think it's normal after winning the World Cup. Already, in the January market, there was a lot of talk, but I'm very calm. I focus on playing, on training every day, on continuing to improve."

Mac Allister added:

"Like I said, I have a lot of respect for Brighton. I respect this club a lot because I am very grateful. Later in the summer, we'll see. If an offer arrives that could be good for the club and for me, we will sit down and talk. If not, I will continue to be very happy at this club."

Reports suggest Liverpool will have to pay £70 million to seal the transfer of Mac Allister, and Brighton are bracing themselves for a bidding war.