Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. (John Powell/Liverpool FC)
Despite completing the long-anticipated signing of Kylian Mbappé last summer, Real Madrid have endured something of a season to forget—even though the French superstar has impressed in his debut campaign.
Los Blancos were beaten by fierce rivals Barcelona in both the Copa del Rey final and the Spanish Super Cup. They also look set to miss out on the La Liga title to the Catalans, who have been nearly unstoppable thanks to the red-hot form of their attacking trio: Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski, supported by a resurgent midfield maestro in Pedri.
To make matters worse, Madrid were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in the quarterfinals by Arsenal, who dismantled them 5–1 on aggregate—a night to forget for the Spanish giants.
A significant portion of Madrid’s poor form can be attributed to the absence of Toni Kroos. The legendary German midfielder, who retired at the end of last season, has proven difficult to replace. And now, with Luka Modrić reportedly eyeing a shock departure from the Santiago Bernabéu this summer, Madrid’s midfield woes could deepen further.
That makes signing a new central midfielder an urgent priority for Los Blancos in the upcoming transfer window.
Madrid Prepared to Launch Big-Money Bid for Mac Allister
With only weeks to go until the window opens, Madrid appear to have identified their top target to solve their midfield issues: Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister.
A World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, Mac Allister has been a standout performer for Liverpool this season as they lifted the Premier League title under new manager Arne Slot in his debut campaign.
The Argentine has impressed with his clever passing, tidy footwork, and an eye for goal—traits reminiscent of Modrić at his peak, with Slot describing the 26-year-old as “outstanding.”
According to Empire of the Kop, Madrid have pinpointed Mac Allister as a potential long-term replacement for Modrić and are reportedly ready to offer Liverpool a staggering £76.4 million—more than £20 million above the fee Liverpool paid Brighton for him in 2023.
The publication also claims there have been “signals from the 26-year-old and his entourage indicating that he’s open to the idea of a move to La Liga”—a worrying sign for Liverpool fans, who have grown to admire Mac Allister’s influence in midfield over the past two seasons.
Fortunately for the Reds, the club is said to be “dead-set” against letting the Argentine leave. Then again, so were they with Trent Alexander-Arnold—and we all know how that saga is shaping up.
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