Chelsea trail behind Liverpool for £70m man who is highly appreciated by Pochettino

Chelsea transfer target Alexis Mac Allister (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Chelsea transfer target Alexis Mac Allister (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Mauricio Pochettino is set to be announced as the next Chelsea manager and will take charge of the managerial duties from July 1st. The Argentine has a list of players he admires and wants Chelsea to make an attempt to sign them. Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is one of them.

Chelsea are prepared to offload a number of players as the dark clouds of Financial Fair Play violations hover above Stamford Bridge. Conor Gallagher, Mateo Kovacic, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are midfield names that could leave the Blues in the summer. Mason Mount is another player who could leave but it depends on the contract negotiations.

Mount’s contract expires next summer and the contract negotiations have stalled. The Blues are ready to bump up his wages but want him to commit to a seven year contract. Chelsea tried to open negotiations once again, this time offering him a one year deal so the Blues can ward off the advances from other sides.

Chelsea trail in the chase of Alexis Mac Allister

Liverpool and Arsenal are keeping an eye on Mount’s situation and if Mount is to be sold this summer, there will be plenty of suitors for the Englishman. Pochettino wants to keep Mount and will make an effort to convince Mount to sign an extension but in case the 24 year old doesn’t agree to a new deal and has to be sold, the Argentine manager does have a replacement in mind.

Brighton midfielder Mac Allister could theoretically be a replacement for Mount. His skills are best suited in an advanced No.8 instead of a central midfield role. Mac Allister should fill in the gap that would be left by Mount’s departure but signing the Argentinian World Cup winner is not going to be an easy task.

Pochettino admires the 24 year old and it is certain that he will leave Brighton this summer but Chelsea aren’t the only interested side. Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City also appreciate Mac Allister but as things stand Liverpool are ahead in the race. According to Sky Sports, Brighton will demand upwards of £70 million for Mac Allister.

According to Fabrizio Romano, personal terms between Mac Allister and Liverpool are almost agreed after the project was presented to the Argentine in April. The deal is not over the line as details are yet to be figured out but LFC are closer than Chelsea in getting the deal done. Brighton have fixed a price for Mac Allister’s exit in June and the South East club will not hinder the sale.

Pochettino and Chelsea will have to act quickly and make an attempt to convince the 24 year old or they would see Liverpool seal the signing.

Next. First exit under Pochettino on the cards as £21.6m Chelsea man says yes to Italian giants. dark

Should CFC sign Alexis Mac Allister?