Alexis Mac Allister will undergo a medical at Liverpool after being given permission by Brighton to complete the final stages of his move to Anfield.

As reported by Telegraph Sport last month, the Argentina international was identified as a target for Jurgen Klopp to bolster his midfield in a rebuild for next season and a move was made swiftly to wrap up a deal.

The 24-year-old is set to have his medical tests this week ahead of signing a long-term contract on Merseyside. Neither club have disclosed a fee for Mac Allister but it is a deal expected to be worth upwards of £40 million for a player who has been at the Amex Stadium for four years.

Manchester United were also looking at the World Cup winner as they look to strengthen the midfield area for Erik ten Hag, but Liverpool made the first moves for Mac Allister after dropping out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.

Mac Allister had only signed a new deal at Brighton in October that ran until 2025 with the option of another year. The new terms led to clubs looking at whether there was a buyout clause, with the player’s reputation only enhanced after playing a key role in his country’s triumph in Qatar during the winter.

Klopp has been assessing which midfielders to pursue for the summer window, with Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all out of contract and leaving the club. Milner has been in talks with Brighton and is set to move in the opposite direction to Mac Allister. Liverpool conceded defeat in the race for Bellingham, with Klopp likening the deal to “children wanting a Ferrari for Christmas”. Real Madrid are in advanced talks to sign the 19-year-old England international.

Mac Allister will land Brighton a huge profit after they bought him from Argentinos Juniors for around £12 million in 2019, with this summer seeing central midfielders in demand. Arsenal are looking at that area and have West Ham’s Declan Rice as their No 1 priority.