UK: 18+ USA: 21+ | Begambleaware.org | T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly
In light of rumored interest in star midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has acknowledged the club is always prepared for other clubs to pay a high price for their players.
Since gaining promotion to the Premier League, the Seagulls have recouped substantial funds and have frequently been able to replace players acquired by their big-spending rivals.
Yves Bissouma, Leandro Trossard, and Marc Cucurella are among the players who have departed the club in the past year for large transfer fees, while Kaoru Mitoma and Moises Caicedo, who were already on the roster, have stepped up into the first team in a seamless manner.
Mac Allister, who joined in 2019 and grew into a key first-team player under Graham Potter and then Roberto De Zerbi, is another man who has filled a void.
The Argentine World Cup winner scored a vital winner for his side yesterday evening when his penalty secured a 1-0 victory over Man United in the Premier League at the Amex Stadium.
Feats such as this have attracted interest from the elite clubs of England and Europe and they could lure the footballer away this summer.
Brighton Have Backup Plan If Argentine Exits
However, it appears that the Seagulls have a plan if the Argentine star departs in the summer.
“There are always going to be rumours when we do well and our people do well,” Barber told Sky Sports in a recent interview, “There will always be bigger clubs playing at a higher level, looking to take our best people.”
“All we can do is perform at our highest potential and we are confident we can keep our best people here for as long as possible,” he said, “Nothing is guaranteed in football but we will certainly work hard to keep them here.”
“We know it will happen so we have to prepare the best we can in advance,” he explained, “We try to look at where we are possibly most vulnerable for outgoings.”
“We try to create the best environment we can for our players. so they want to stay here,” he added, “Hopefully they will see that staying here is better for their careers than not.”
“Every club is a selling club to some extent. Even the biggest clubs get tempted by huge offers,” Barber continued. “Our challenge, when we lose players, is to have players already in the door or to have some coming in immediately after them.”
“We will continue recruiting as we have done and keep building for the future.”
Mac Allister Acquisition Would Require Hefty Sum
Mac Allister’s new contract, which was inked prior to him starring in Argentina’s World Cup win in Qatar last December, necessitates that any bidder for the player pay a substantial amount.
Brighton’s players have reportedly discussed that the Argentina may transfer to Liverpool, as the Reds contemplate alternatives after withdrawing from the race for Jude Bellingham.
Ecuadorian footballer Caicedo could also be on the move, despite signing a new contract in the middle of the season. Since Bissouma’s departure to Tottenham, the midfielder has become even more valuable to Brighton, attracting the interest of Arsenal.
Mac Allister’s father Carlos told Puro Boca earlier in the season that he believed a summer move was probable.
“Normally the next [transfer window] will find him playing in another institution, we don’t know which one,” he said. “The talks are just beginning in general, but it is most likely that Alexis will already be playing in another team next July.”
Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!
