Arsenal and Liverpool target Mac Allister admits he almost left Brighton

Cameron Smith

• 17 Feb 2023 11:14 GMT
• 3 min read

Brighton and Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister has admitted he has previously thought about leaving the club amid inflated transfer talk following the 2022 World Cup.

The Argentina international helped his country lift the famous trophy in Qatar to become Brighton's first ever World Cup winner. He played a crucial role in their successful campaign and interest in his services quickly spiked.

His international team-mate Enzo Fernandez sealed a €121 million transfer to Chelsea on January Deadline Day, but Mac Allister stayed put on the south coast despite interest from both Arsenal and Liverpool. Chelsea were also linked with a move, but a move never materialised.

READ: Joao Felix predicted Enzo Fernandez’s instant Chelsea impact

It's expected that interest in Mac Allister will resurface in the summer, with Liverpool in particular desperate to revamp their midfield.

Having been deployed in a multitude of roles at Brighton, Mac Allister has now found a home next to Moises Caicedo at the Amex Stadium and his form for Roberto De Zerbi's side has attracted the attention of the biggest clubs in the Premier League.

Mac Allister's contract at Brighton isn't set to expire until 2025 after signing a new deal before the World Cup, while the Seagulls also have the option to trigger a one-year extension. Therefore, the Argentine won't come cheap, especially considering the fee Chelsea were forced to pay to sign Marc Cucurella in 2022. However, he has thought about leaving previously.

READ: Caicedo's agent criticises Brighton for denying 'dream' transfer

What has Mac Allister said?

In an interview with Sky Sports, Mac Allister revealed: "The first year [at Brighton] was tough. Coming here, a new language, a new culture, different football. I am grateful to the people who supported me through that first year because it was a tough one. I just trained hard because I knew my moment was going to arrive.

"There was a moment when I was thinking about leaving. It was December 2021 and I was not playing. I said that if I see in January that I do not have my opportunity I think it is time to leave and look for another opportunity in another place."

However, on Boxing Day later that month, his Brighton career took off. "I remember that Graham Potter played me against Brentford. Since that game I have played all the games. It was the moment when I felt it was my opportunity and I took it."