A World Cup winner has already been of interest to Arsenal, who now could launch a move for him, while one club think they have won the race for Jude Bellingham – all in Wednesday’s transfer gossip.
ARSENAL INTERESTED IN ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER
Arsenal have expressed an interest in Brighton and Argentina star Alexis Mac Allister, according to a report from his native country.
Mac Allister has just become a World Cup winner, having started the final for Argentina against France. As the celebrations continue, there has been speculation about his future at club level.
According to The Athletic, Brighton are not expecting Mac Allister to return until the New Year. By then, the January transfer window will be open – and a few clubs are already looking at him.
Recently, Mac Allister has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur. However, the Argentine edition of AS is now tipping him for a move to north London’s other Premier League powerhouse, Arsenal.
It is claimed that the Premier League leaders have “already shown an interest” in signing the midfielder, who will turn 24 years old on Christmas Eve.
Arsenal are ready to add to their squad in January so they can keep up their momentum in the second half of the season. Midfield is one of the areas they think they could do with adding to.
Therefore, Mac Allister has emerged onto their radar. Seemingly, they have been aware of him long before other competitors.Arsenal already did business with Brighton back in 2021 when they signed Benjamin White. Now, they could be preparing to make a bid for another Seagulls star.
The report warns, though, that they face competition from La Liga giants, Atletico Madrid.
And it is likely that other clubs have taken note of Mac Allister’s ability after he delivered on the world stage.
His contract with Brighton, incidentally, is due to last until 2025. Roberto De Zerbi’s club have the option to extend that deal by a further year as well.
But they will now be bracing themselves for interest in their number 10.
REAL MADRID CONFIDENT OF JUDE BELLINGHAM CAPTURE
There is a growing confidence that Real Madrid have won the race to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, it has been claimed.
Since leaving Birmingham City for Borussia Dortmund in 2020, Bellingham has gone from strength to strength. Still only 19 years old, he has become a regular for the England national team already.
There has been a great deal of anticipation about what the next step for Bellingham might be. A return to English football with one of his Premier League suitors could come under consideration.
Liverpool have been linked with the teenager, as have both Manchester clubs and Chelsea.
However, his next move might not be back to his home country after all. Real Madrid have been keeping a close eye on him recently. According to The Sun, the Spanish champions now think they have won the race for his signature.
Bellingham will cost them more than £100million in a transfer that is expected to take place next summer.
The player’s decision will be influenced by football, not finances, and there is a belief that he could fulfil his potential best by becoming a superstar at the Bernabeu.
It would be a blow to anyone hoping to take him to the Premier League, especially since a club of Real Madrid’s stature might be able to keep him for years to come.
SPURS TARGET RECEIVES CONTRACT OFFER
Tottenham Hotspur target Alessandro Bastoni has been offered a new contract by Inter Milan.
Bastoni previously worked with Antonio Conte at Inter and has further enhanced his reputation even after the head coach’s departure from the Serie A giants.
The left-footer has subsequently been tipped to follow Conte to Tottenham. Familiar with the head coach’s back-three system, he would be an ideal target.
However, Gazzetta Dello Sport has revealed that Inter have now tabled a contract extension offer to the centre-back.
Bastoni’s current terms are due to expire in 2024. Therefore, Inter have been wary of losing him within the next 18 months.
Now, they have made their move to prevent his departure, offering him a salary worth €4.5million per season (around £75,ooo per week).
The proposed new deal would last until 2027, taking Bastoni further out of reach for Tottenham and other admirers.
Of course, he must sign it first before anything is confirmed. But there is a belief he wants to stay at San Siro.
His agents are exploring English interest before making a commitment. Yet it now seems less likely that Tottenham could take him.
