Brighton do not want to sell Alexis Mac Allister this summer but will accept a suitable offer for the midfielder, a source has disclosed to football.london.
The 24-year-old has emerged as a top target for Chelsea this summer as the Blues look to add to the Enzo Fernandez signing in January - with the player having now reportedly already signed a contract extension - and improve their midfield.
Mac Allister, who played alongside Fernandez in Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph, is one of the players at the top of Chelsea's list and they are seriously considering making a move for him in the summer.
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Brighton are actually above Chelsea in the Premier League table as it stands as they chase an unlikely Champions League spot after another sensational season down on the south coast. However, the financial power of clubs around them could mean another summer full of outgoings at the Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls are reluctant to put set price-tags on their key players, it's understood, but there's an overriding feeling they would accept a suitable offer for Mac Allister should it come their way. With just over two years remaining on his contract, the south coast club are in no immediate rush to sell but indications from Mac Allister's camp suggest that he wants to leave the club once the season is over.
Mac Allister's father, Carlos, recently said to Puroboca: "Normally the next [transfer window] will find him playing in another club, we don't know which one. The talks are just beginning in general, but it is most likely that Alexis will already be playing in another team next July."
Chelsea, of course, have a lot of recent history with Brighton. The Blues took Graham Potter from them in September, as well as his backroom staff. Marc Cucurella also swapped the Amex for Stamford Bridge last summer, while Levi Colwill (loan) and Billy Gilmour went the other way.
Mac Allister, however, won't be an easy get for Chelsea by any means. Liverpool and Manchester United are also said to be in the race for the Argentina international after a superb season for club and country.
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