Four midfielders Andoni Iraola might sign, including a £75m star, after Liverpool told Alexis Mac Allister he can leave.
Andoni Iraola is planning to refresh Liverpool’s midfield over the next two transfer windows, and Alexis Mac Allister might be one of the players sold to help fund a replacement. Sky Sport journalist Sacha Tavolieri shared this week that Mac Allister leaving Anfield is a real possibility, and the club doesn’t plan to extend his contract, which runs until June 2028.
Liverpool want to invest big in the midfielder’s position, even though Mac Allister wants to stay and has become an important player since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion three years ago. Here, SPORTbible looks at four midfielders Liverpool could bring in to replace the 27-year-old.
First up is Bournemouth’s star player Alex Scott, who seems like the obvious choice. Iraola signed Scott for £25 million from Bristol City in August 2023, and he’s grown into one of the Premier League’s top midfielders. Scott combines great ball-carrying and playmaking skills, and at just 23, he fits perfectly into what Liverpool need. Iraola is keen to work with him again, since he first spotted him in the Championship a few years ago.
On October 15, reports said Liverpool are leading the race for Scott after the England international declined to renew his Bournemouth contract. But Bournemouth want £100 million for Scott, so they’ll need to lower the price for serious offers.
Scott is Liverpool’s top target, but journalist Florian Plettenberg also mentioned Lamine Camara as someone on Iraola’s shortlist. Camara, who plays for Monaco, was almost set to join Chelsea before Monaco pulled out, hoping for a bigger fee in 2027. The 22-year-old is a lively box-to-box midfielder and offers exactly the kind of energy Liverpool wants in midfield. He could be a cheaper option than Scott that Liverpool might explore next summer.
Plettenberg also said Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha is well regarded by Liverpool, though he’s not a priority target right now. The 26-year-old would be a fantastic signing and a big step up from Mac Allister. Nmecha has made a name for himself in Europe with Dortmund and with Germany’s national team. He can play as a number eight or ten, bringing strength and skill to carry the ball forward. During the World Cup, he made an impact by scoring once and assisting twice before Germany was knocked out.
According to SportBILD, Nmecha has an €80 million (£67 million) release clause in his contract that runs until June 2027. Liverpool could use this clause before Dortmund asks for closer to €100 million (£83.7 million).
Liverpool has also been interested in Crystal Palace’s playmaker Adam Wharton. They showed interest in the 22-year-old over the summer, and with Mac Allister possibly leaving, Wharton could be on their radar again. Like Scott, he’s one of the Premier League’s best, known for his passing and ability to hold up play. Palace recently qualified for the Europa League, thanks in part to Wharton’s performance.
Palace say Wharton isn’t for sale, but their current standing in the table could change this. They want around £75 million for him. If Palace gets relegated, he will almost definitely leave — and even if they stay up, it’s expected Wharton will move on by 2027, with Anfield a likely destination.
In short, Liverpool is preparing for a big midfield shake-up, and these four players could be the future replacements for Alexis Mac Allister.