Tottenham Hotspur in four-way battle with Atletico Madrid and Serie A duo for World Cup semi-finalist

Tottenham Hotspur face a four-way battle with Atletico Madrid and Serie A duo Inter Milan and Juventus for Argentina international Alexis Mac Allister.

The Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder has become a key player for the Seagulls after moving to the Amex Stadium in a £6m deal in the January 2019 transfer window. After returning to Argentina to spend loan spells with former club Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, Mac Allister established himself in the Albion side during the 2020/21 season and has gone on to make 86 appearances over the last two and a half years.

His fine form during the current season has consisted of five goals in 14 games and that earned him a call-up to the Argentina squad for the World Cup Finals. After remaining on the bench for the shock defeat against Saudi Arabia, Mac Allister has started all four of their following fixtures and will hope to retain his place for Tuesday’s semi-final meeting with Croatia.

Having impressed in Qatar, speculation over Mac Allister’s future at club level has increased and Spanish outlet Fichajes have suggested the midfielder is a target for Spurs as Antonio Conte looks to ‘add a more creative piece’ to his midfield. Intriguingly the report also states Mac Allister’s performances at the World Cup have convinced managing director Fabio Paratici to make a move.

However, there is significant interest from elsewhere with Inter Milan said to have identified Mac Allister as a long-term replacement for Croatian international Marcelo Brozovic and Serie A rivals Juventus also keen as they have doubts over current midfielders Leandro Parades and Manuel Locatelli. Atletico Madrid are also listed as potential suitors after Rodrigo de Paul received interest from a number of their La Liga rivals.