Alexis Mac Allister, a midfielder currently playing for Brighton, has been acquired by Liverpool on a five-year agreement for £35 million.

The price for the Argentina playmaker, who helped Brighton finish sixth in the Premier League this season and earn their first-ever qualification for Europe, might increase to £55 million.

The 24-year-old assisted Argentina in winning the 2022 World Cup while scoring 20 goals in 112 games for the Seagulls.

“It’s a dream come true, and I can’t wait,” exclaimed Mac Allister.

“It’s fantastic that everything is finished since I wanted to be in [from] the very first day of preseason. I’m eager to get to know my teammates.

The World Cup and everything we accomplished with Brighton made it a terrific year for me, but now it’s time to focus on Liverpool and strive to improve as a player and a person every day.

He never runs away, says a new Liverpool player Allister Mac
Receive Liverpool news alerts.
Stream the most recent the podcast The Red Kop
James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are among the midfield players that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is looking to bolster after they all left Anfield this summer.

Jude Bellingham, a 19-year-old English player for Borussia Dortmund, was out of their price range, and he now appears destined to sign with Real Madrid after the two sides agreed to a 103 million euro (£88.5 million) transfer fee.

When Mac Allister left Argentinos Juniors for Brighton in January 2019, he returned on loan to the Buenos Aires team.

He has participated in 16 matches for Argentina and was an important member of their third World Cup victory in December.

After sitting out their initial loss to Saudi Arabia, he started the following six games and shone against France in the championship game.

“Since I won the World Cup, I said that I want to win more trophies, and I think that this club will help me to do that,” said Mac Allister.

“That is the goal, and to succeed in a large club like this one, trophies must be won. I can see how big this club is, how many players we have, how many employees we have, etc. I’m thrilled and eager to join this team as a player.

It’s time to say goodbye to the club that opened the doors for me and provided me with such fantastic times, Mac Allister thanked Brighton in a post on Instagram.

“I never believed I’d have the life I’ve had these past three and a half years, but this club provided me the chance, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

“This club has the football abilities and character to do many significant things, and I have no worries about that.

“I’ll keep an eye on you and be there for you. I’m really grateful; the Seagulls will always hold a special place in my heart.

Another clever and impressive deal, according to analysts
BBC Sport’s Mandeep Sanghera

Liverpool has a reputation for striking some remarkable deals, and this one appears to be another.

They signed a player who was crucial to Argentina’s World Cup victory and who has excelled in the Premier League with Brighton, helping the south coast club advance to the Europa League.

Mac Allister was Brighton’s highest scorer in the Premier League this season, and the Reds’ decision to sign him was greatly influenced by both his versatility in the middle of the field and his keen sense of the game.

Liverpool is also beginning what should be a midfield makeover this summer.

Numerous players in that position are going, so the Reds’ decision to bring in a player of Mac Allister’s caliber will thrill supporters and portend well for the future as they attempt to recover from a poor campaign.

Jorg Schmadtke will succeed Julian Ward as the club’s sporting director this summer. Julian Ward worked with the football operations team to secure the deal for Mac Allister.

Now that Ward has relinquished control, Schmadtke will assume charge of all transactions.