Brighton are reportedly ‘aware of growing interest’ in Alexis Mac Allister and are going to be ‘blown out of the water’ by the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.
Mac Allister has enjoyed a transformative period of his career over the past couple of seasons. Indeed, the Seagulls man scored five goals and provided two assists from 33 games in his second season at the Amex.
This season, his production has gone up a notch. The Argentine has scored 10 goals and provided two assists in all competitions, helping Brighton to their current position – seventh.
His World Cup exploits have aided the development of his career prospects. Indeed, he was part of Argentina’s triumph in the 2022 tournament, scoring and assisting on the way to glory.
Since then, there’s been a lot of interest in him. Big names like Liverpool – who are reportedly leading the race – and Manchester United – who have identified the midfield as a priority for the summer – are in the mix for his signature.
In any case, interest from sides of that ilk spells trouble for Brighton.
A report from Football Insider suggests the Seagulls are ‘aware of growing interest’ in Mac Allister from ‘giants like Liverpool and Man Utd’.
What’s more, the report also states Brighton are ‘likely to be blown out of the water’ by sides like that ‘when it comes to offering personal terms to Mac Allister’.
Indeed, it’s likely that those sides will be able to offer much higher wages than Brighton, as, simply put, they are richer.
Of course, that will hinder them down the line, but it could have an impact right now. Mac Allister is unlikely to renew his deal – which runs out in 2025 – knowing he can get a better deal at a better club.
As such, they might well be forced to move the midfielder on this summer. Both Liverpool and United will surely be ready to pounce if it becomes clear that’s going to happen, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if either offered anyway.
Constantine Hatzidakis breaks silence amid ‘elbow’ on Liverpool’s Andy Robertson
Constantine Hatzidakis says he’s prepared for whatever the outcome after allegedly elbowing Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.
The assistant referee appeared to strike Robertson during half-time of the Reds’ 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday.
Hatzidakis has been stood down from officiating while an investigation by the Football Association is being carried out. Speaking to the Daily Mail, at his south London home, Hatzidakis said: “Whatever happens, happens. There is nothing more I can say at the moment. I can’t talk about what happened.”
Video footage showed that Robertson was seemingly elbowed by Hadzidakis shortly after the half-time whistle went. It led to Robertson and several of his Liverpool team-mates remonstrating with referee Paul Tierney. Robertson, who was booked after the incident, reportedly said in the tunnel: ‘The linesman has just elbowed me in the throat’ per Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves.
A statement from the Premier League referees’ body, the PGMOL, said: “PGMOL will not be appointing Constantine Hatzidakis to fixtures in any of the competitions it serves while the Football Association investigates the incident involving the assistant referee and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson at Anfield.”
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “I didn’t see it. Now obviously I have time to watch it but I didn’t, just because I cannot give you the answers. I didn’t see it. I heard the pictures speak for themselves. I cannot say anymore. I didn’t see a bit.”
Hatzidakis is understood to have reacted only after he felt that Robertson put his arm on him. Furthermore, it is believed that the linesman believed he was being verbally abused in the melee as the players and officials left the pitch.
It is the second incident involving officials and players over recent weeks after Aleksandar Mitrovic was banned for eight games after shoving referee Chris Kavanagh during Fulham’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has suggested that Hatzidakis could face similar punishment. “Players can push us officials to the limit,” he wrote in the Daily Mail.
“They can provoke to the point where you are probably tempted to give them something in return. But under no circumstances can we can respond. Certainly not physically.
“Hatzidakis did and there will now be a clamour for him to be banned, given Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic is set to miss eight matches for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh last month.”
Meanwhile, Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane gave a scathing verdict of Robertson’s involvement. “Robertson, do you know what, does he grab the linesman first? I’m not sure, but he’s complaining,” Keane said. “He should be more worried about his defending.
“Do you know what it is, that Robertson? I’ve watched him a number of times. He’s a big baby. That’s what he is. Just get on with the game and concentrate on your defending. He does grab the linesman first.”