Liverpool to repeat Alexis Mac Allister trick with midfielder out of contract in 2027 | OneFootball

Liverpool could be set to shake up their midfield options this summer.

Alexis Mac Allister has reportedly been a target for Real Madrid in recent months while Curtis Jones has slipped into the last 12 months of his deal.

If Andoni Iraola loses one - or both - of those midfielders then we can expect to see the outgoing Premier League champions delve into the transfer market for a new option.

Among those names mentioned of late is Sweden FIFA World Cup star Yasin Ayari.

Brighton planning new deal for Ayari

The 22-year-old enjoyed somewhat of a breakout year with Brighton in the English top flight - and has a contract which expires in 2027.

A report in Caught Offside claims the Seagulls are trying to tie the playmaker down to a new deal before it’s too late. However - with Liverpool among the teams circling for the Swede Brighton could be forced into a sale.

Liverpool bought Alexis from Brighton for around £35m back in 2023 - a bargain deal they could look to repeat if the south coast side cannot get a deal over the line for Ayari.

Ayari has caught Liverpool's eye

“The 22-year-old Sweden international has caught the attention of several Premier League clubs, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham all linked with a possible move,” the report reads.

“Brighton have already opened talks over a new long-term contract as they look to secure his future. Ayari’s current deal runs until 2027, meaning Brighton are entering an important stage.

“Liverpool and Chelsea are both looking for more youthful energy in midfield, while Tottenham’s rebuild under Roberto De Zerbi could make Ayari an attractive option.

“They want to keep Ayari and are trying to reward him with a fresh deal before the market becomes even more aggressive.”

Yasin Ayari: Situation summary

Yasin Ayari is a 22-year-old right-footed Sweden international midfielder at Brighton, signed from AIK in January 2023 and now part of Fabian Hürzeler’s core rotation.

Around 1.72m, he tends to operate as a central or right-sided midfielder, connecting phases and offering control between the lines rather than functioning as a pure No 10.

On the pitch, Ayari is a technically clean, half-turn midfielder who receives under pressure, slips away from traffic and links play into the final third with wall passes and disguised through-balls.

In 2025/26 he logged roughly 1,900–2,000 all-competition minutes with 3 goals and 3 assists, profiling more as a progression and ball-retention piece with selective box arrivals than a volume shooter.

Crucially, his contract runs to June 2027, meaning he is heading towards the final 12 months and Brighton have a decision to make.

An extension is on the table, but if talks stall a sale to a Bundesliga or Premier League club with European football becomes a realistic medium-term outcome, given his age and stylistic fit for possession-heavy sides.