Brighton CEO Paul Barber has opened up on the transfer speculation surrounding Alexis Mac Allister.
The Argentina international looks set to leave the Seagulls this summer as interest in his services heightens.
Manchester United and Liverpool are the two sides most keen on Mac Allister, while Chelsea, Arsenal and Juventus have also been linked.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Brighton CEO Barber has opened up on what the future brings for the World Cup-winning midfielder in the transfer window.
He said: “With Alexis, we sat down before the World Cup with his father, Carlos, and his agent.
“That was about making sure Alexis was as settled as possible before the World Cup goal.
“And afterwards, we ensured he got back focussed on the Premier League – to his credit he absolutely has done. Has performed very, very well.
“What the summer brings? We don’t know. What we do know is our players will come under a lot of scrutiny and interest.
“And we will manage that, as we always do, when and if it happens.”
Mac Allister has yet to be price tagged by Brighton but a move away looks almost certain with Man United and Liverpool keen to bolster their midfields.
Speculation was sparked by Carlos Mac Allister, who admitted his son wants to leave the Amex Stadium and even referenced Boca Juniors, where the 24-year-old spent a year on loan.
“Surely Alexis will return to play in Boca at some point,” he told Puro Boca (via bolavip).
“Today he is just beginning his career in Europe, but on the way back when he decides to settle in Argentina again, he will surely want to play in Boca, even if it is for a while, to finish thanking and demonstrating the level that it can have in a club of this nature in Argentina.
“Normally the next [transfer window] will find him playing in another institution, we don’t know which one.
“The talks are just beginning in general, but it is most likely that Alexis will already be playing in another team next July.”
