Alexis Mac Allister, Manchester City Interest and Liverpool’s Late Window Position

Manchester City have internally discussed Alexis Mac Allister as one of several midfield options in the closing weeks of the transfer window, but there has been no approach to Liverpool and no active talks at this stage. That is the key takeaway from Ben Jacobs on talkSPORT, whose update places the Argentina international on a broader shortlist rather than at the centre of any live move.

The relevant line from that report is clear: “I know internally Alexis McAllister has been mentioned [by Man City], but there’s been no contact yet, or developments with Liverpool, so that’s just more part of a shortlisting process than anything to get excited about.” In transfer terms, that matters. Shortlists are fluid, often extensive, and frequently include players a club admire without ever progressing to formal action.

Manchester City shortlist explained

Mac Allister is said to be under consideration alongside Adam Wharton and Enzo Fernandez. That alone suggests Manchester City are still assessing profiles rather than driving towards one agreed priority. Recruitment departments work this way, especially late in the market, checking availability, cost, timing and the realism of striking a deal.

From Liverpool’s perspective, the absence of contact is the crucial detail. Interest can exist in many forms across the Premier League and Europe, particularly around a player of Mac Allister’s calibre, age and experience. Yet admiration is one thing, prising an important midfielder away from Anfield in the final weeks of the window is another entirely.

Liverpool transfer stance around Mac Allister

Liverpool have little incentive to entertain this sort of discussion, particularly with Andoni Iraola only beginning to shape the side for the new campaign. Mac Allister remains one of the most intelligent midfield operators in the squad, and replacing that profile late in the summer would be difficult, expensive and disruptive.

There has already been outside noise this summer, with Chelsea previously linked and Real Madrid continuing to surface in wider conversation. That tends to happen when a top-level player comes off a season that invited debate about standards and consistency. Even so, Liverpool’s internal view is likely to be straightforward, Mac Allister is a core player unless a truly exceptional situation develops.

Alexis Mac Allister speculation and next steps

That is why the current state of play feels more noteworthy for what it is not. There is no bid, no club-to-club engagement and no sign that Liverpool are preparing for a sale. For Manchester City, this looks like due diligence. For Liverpool, it is background noise until something tangible arrives.

Mac Allister’s best response is the simplest one, start the season strongly and reassert his value on the pitch. If he does that, the speculation will fade into the usual market chatter. For now, Liverpool retain control, and Manchester City’s interest sits firmly in the category of monitoring rather than movement.

Our View

From an unconvinced Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this report feels like one to file rather than fear. Manchester City keeping a list of good midfielders is hardly groundbreaking, and Mac Allister would obviously appear on that kind of document. That does not mean a transfer is brewing.

The bigger concern is not City’s admiration, it is why Mac Allister has become such a regular topic in the first place. His 2025/26 campaign never fully hit the level Liverpool needed, and that opened the door to too much chatter around his future. If he starts slowly again, the noise will only grow, whether it comes from England or Spain.

There is also a practical point here. Liverpool are not in a comfortable position to lose a midfielder of his quality late in the window, especially if Curtis Jones continues to attract interest from abroad. Even if a huge offer arrived, the replacement challenge would be severe and the timing would be poor.

So the sceptical supporter reaction is simple, believe it when there is actual contact. Until then, this looks like standard elite-club scanning. Mac Allister has too much to offer, and Liverpool have too much to sort, for this to make sense right now. The most convincing answer from the player would be a sharp run of performances that reminds everyone why selling him should not even be entering the conversation.

Source: Ben Jacobs on talkSPORT