Chelsea have reportedly submitted a bid for Alexis Mac Allister, a player that Antonio Conte had reportedly previously requested to be signed by the club.
According to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato Web, Conte was impressed with Mac Allister’s performances at the World Cup and had asked for his arrival at Tottenham ‘as early as January’.
However, according to the latest report from Tutto Mercato Web, Chelsea have submitted a €55m (£49m) bid to sign the Argentine.
The report however adds that Brighton have rejected the offer from Chelsea.
Mac Allister has had an outstanding season for both his club and his national team, scoring seven goals in his first 18 appearances for Brighton and making six appearances in Qatar as Argentina won the World Cup.
His form has caught the attention of several clubs, and it seems Chelsea are now in the lead to sign him.
Additionally, there are speculations that Tottenham may not renew Conte’s contract, which expires at the end of the season, which could further decrease the likelihood of Mac Allister joining Tottenham.
It is also unlikely that Tottenham can match Chelsea’s financial offer for Mac Allister, as the London club is known to be less free-spending in the transfer market.
Furthermore, it is reported that Todd Boehly, Chelsea’s owner, is handing Graham Potter millions to spend in the transfer market, which could give Chelsea an advantage in the race to sign Mac Allister.
If the reports about Conte wanting the midfielder are true, then it will be another case of the club hierarchy not backing Conte with the players he want.
That being said, anything can happen in the transfer market and it will be interesting to see if Spurs will make a move after Chelsea’s advances.
