Manchester City’s hunt for a marquee midfield addition has turned up an unexpected name, with Alexis Mac Allister said to have been offered to the Manchester club as an alternative to their long-standing target Enzo Fernandez.
But those close to the Liverpool midfielder insist he has no interest in making the move.
Maresca still hunting a third midfielder
Enzo Maresca’s rebuild at the Etihad continues at pace. City have already brought in Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer.
However, the departures of Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, Tijjani Reijnders and Bernardo Silva have left a gaping hole through the middle of the pitch that the head coach is determined to fill before the window shuts.
Fernandez remains City’s priority, though Chelsea have made their position plain: they will only sanction a sale for around £120m, and only once they have brought in a replacement of their own.
With that deal proving stubborn, reports have named Mac Allister as a serious alternative.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 27-year-old was put forward to City by intermediaries rather than through any formal approach from the club themselves.
“Many questions tonight on Alexis Mac Allister as an option for Manchester City,” Romano wrote.
“The reality is that some intermediaries offered Manchester City the possibility to consider a move for Alexis Mac Allister.
“So it was suggested by intermediaries as a potential move to Manchester City, rather than being an official bid or something like that. So, as an alternative [to Fernandez].”
Mac Allister family insist Liverpool stay is the plan
Despite the interest, the World Cup winner’s own family have been quick to shut down any suggestion he is looking for a way out of Anfield.
Carlos Mac Allister, Alexis’s father, told reporters his son remains fully focused on Liverpool.
“Alexis is not thinking of leaving Liverpool. He wants to stay at the club,” he said.
“Liverpool has not started talks to renew the Alexis contract, but the player’s desire is to continue in the club.”
Mac Allister has just under two years left to run on his current deal, which expires in the summer of 2028, and Liverpool’s recent history of losing top talent for nothing will do little to settle nerves.
Meanwhile, Mac Allister would represent a proven, ready-made alternative to Fernandez at Man City.
He is an Argentina international with Premier League pedigree, a Champions League winner’s medal and vast experience of the kind of pressing, possession-based football Maresca wants to implement.
