Premier League club tried to hijack Liverpool's move for Alexis Mac Allister - Reports
Chelsea reportedly failed in a last-ditch attempt to hijack Liverpool's move for Alexis Mac Allister.
According to The Times (via Metro), the Blues' new manager Mauricio Pochettino tried to make a late swoop for Mac Allister, but the Reds had already sealed his signing. The Argentine midfielder has joined Jurgen Klopp's side from Brighton & Hove Albion for £35 million.
The 24-year-old becomes Liverpool's first of many expected signings this summer. It now appears that the Merseysiders beat Chelsea to his signature. Mac Allister may have been persuaded on a move to Stamford Bridge, given the Argentine contingent at the west London club. Pochettino has been appointed the Blues' new manager, and the club already has La Abiceleste midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
Mac Allister, the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner, had already given his word to Liverpool and has signed a five-year deal at Anfield. He impressed for Brighton this season, scoring 12 goals and providing three assists in 40 games across competitions.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is delighted to seal Mac Allister's capture:
“We are adding a very talented, very smart, very technically skilled boy to our squad, and this is super news, really it is."
Liverpool are expected to push on and make further additions to their midfield. Manu Kone, Khephran Thuram and Gabri Veiga are reportedly in the Merseysiders' sights.
Meanwhile, Pochettino is set to rebuild his Chelsea squad that performed woefully this campaign. The futures of Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic are in doubt with just one year remaining on the midfield duo's contracts.
Robbie Keane backs Chelsea and Liverpool to be in title picture next season
Liverpool and Chelsea both struggled in the Premier League this season, missing out on the top four. Klopp's men ended the campaign fifth, meaning they will be playing UEFA Europa League football rather than Champions League next season.
Meanwhile, the Stamford Bridge giants went through four permanent and temporary managers during a season to forget. They finished the campaign with caretaker boss Frank Lampard in a lowly 12th place. The Blues won't be playing European football next season.
However, Premier League legend Robbie Keane has tipped both sides to challenge for the title next season. He talked up their chances alongside Arsenal's, telling Betway:
"Next year, I don’t think it’s going to be a two-horse race with Arsenal. I think Liverpool will be back in the fold. I really believe that. With Mauricio Pochettino coming in, I think Chelsea could be good, but they might need a year or two."
There's one glaring omission from Keane's prediction, and that's Manchester United. The Red Devils beat Klopp's men to a top-four finish this season, won the Carabao Cup and were beaten by City in the FA Cup final.
However, the Irishman expects the Merseysiders to be back in the title race but acknowledges that Pochettino may need time at Stamford Bridge.