Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shared an embrace with Liverpool target Alexis Mac Allister as Brighton & Hove Albion secured Europa League football next season.
The Spaniard's side have been linked with a move for the Argentina international amid reports that the midfielder is on the verge of penning terms with the Reds at Anfield. The ECHO understands that Jurgen Klopp and the recruitment chiefs on Merseyside have earmarked the Seagulls man as one of the primary targets in the summer.
Speculation looms over the AMEX Stadium as Roberto De Zerbi faces a crucial summer with a number of his key targets mooted with moves away from the South Coast. Already, they have secured the services of Joao Pedro for next season with reports suggesting Mahmoud Dahoud and departing Liverpool midfielder James Milner are next in line to be unveiled.
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Brighton and the newly-crowned Premier League champions shared the spoils on Wednesday night as Julio Enciso's wonder-strike cancelled out Phil Foden's opener.
It was the final home game of the season for the Seagulls in a historic campaign for the club as the Italian head coach successfully steered them through tricky waters following the departure of Graham Potter at the beginning of the season. Many speculated that as Mac Allister addressed the crowd that it was one with undertones of a farewell, although it is yet to be confirmed whether he will remain at the club.
According to Sussex Live, Brighton fans made their feelings known to the World Cup-winner as they repeatedly sang 'We want you to stay, Alexis Mac Allister, we want you to stay," once again.
In response, he could be seen laughing and smiling as the chants rang around the stadium.
Speaking ahead of the visit of Guardiola's side, De Zerbi addressed the ongoing speculation. He said: "They can have the possibility to change [clubs] because they deserve to play in another level," said De Zerbi. "I don't know what Tony [Bloom, Brighton owner] can decide.
"Now we can offer them the possibility to play in Europe because our level is bigger now," he added. "We can offer them one possibility more.
"When I work, I think for myself, I think for my club - but I think still for the players. The players have one career, one life and we can't decide for them."
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