Manchester City are reportedly ready to step up their efforts to land a top Liverpool midfield target from Brighton in the summer transfer window.

Seagulls star Alexis Mac Allister has emerged as a target for a number of clubs after excelling on the south coast. He also backed up his performances by playing a pivotal role in Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar.

Liverpool are known to have enquired about a potential deal for the 24-year-old in January. However, their enquiries, along with their interest in Moises Caicedo, were completely rebuffed.

They Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella last summer and then Leandro Trossard in January. To that end, Brighton didn’t want to de-stabilise their squad any further midway through the season.

However, the summer is a different proposition altogether and if the Seagulls hierarchy get the offers they want then deals can be done, especially if the player himself wants out.

And that is where City are looking to potentially strike a deal for the impressive Mac Allister.

According to a report in the Daily Star, Pep Guardiola is looking at the Brighton man as a replacement for either Ilkay Gundogan or Bernardo Silva, with both players out of contract in June.

Neither player has agreed on an extension as yet, leading Guardiola to scour the market for other options.

Mac Allister price could rise with bidding war

Brighton’s current valuation of Mac Allister is likely to be in the region of £70million. However, that figure could go up if a bidding war between City and Liverpool ensues.

Meanwhile, Arsenal could also throw their hat into the ring, having monitored Mac Allister themselves this season.

Much of City and Liverpool’s chase for the Brighton man comes down to them being wary of the growing cost of a move for Jude Bellingham.

The England midfielder is currently valued at well over £100m, leaving Mac Allister as a cheaper alternative.

The Argentina star started all seven games for Argentina at the World Cup. He has also added goals to his game this season, with seven in all competitions for the Seagulls.

Mac Allister can fill several different midfield roles and is comfortable playing more defensively, if required.

The midfielder’s current contract runs out in the summer of 2025. Brighton, though, can extend that by a further year if they wish.

However, they are not expected to stand in Mac Allister’s way, if the likes of City and Liverpool come calling.

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The article Man City step up pursuit of £70m Liverpool midfield target as Pep Guardiola aims to scupper Klopp hopes of summer swoop appeared first on Teamtalk.com.