The summer window rarely passes without it's fair share of noise, and Alexis Mac Allister is the latest Liverpool midfielder finding himself at the centre of transfer chatter.
As Liverpool touched down on American soil to kick off their 2026/27 pre-season tour, the Windy City has provided the backdrop for Andoni Iraola’s first major media address as Reds head coach.
Based in Chicago before heading across the States to face Sunderland in Nashville, Wrexham at Yankee Stadium, and ending back at Soldier Field against Leeds United, Iraola wasted no time addressing the noise surrounding Alexis Mac Allister.
Reports originating in Spain had claimed the 25-year-old midfielder was looking to wrap up his time in England, offering his services to Real Madrid in a potential €100m (£85.3m) deal.
But speaking in Chicago, Iraola hit back at suggestions Liverpool would willingly part with their World Cup-winning orchestrator, making it clear that his focus is purely on building a squad, not stripping it down.
“I think Alexis has been one of the best at this club in years, look at the World Cup, it's normal other clubs want the best players,” Iraola told reporters in Chicago. “Other clubs want my good players but I am looking to sign players than lose the ones we have here.”
What Mac Allister’s camp has said
The manager's defiant stance aligns directly with statements from Mac Allister’s inner circle. His father and representative, Carlos Mac Allister, took swift action to quash rumours that meetings had taken place with Los Blancos and that the rumours were false in an interview with 365scores.
“We have not spoken with any official at Real Madrid. What is being circulated about us holding talks with Real Madrid is not true.”
“Alexis is still under contract for two seasons with Liverpool, and currently he will get some rest for a few days and then return to play in the Premier League. That is the current situation.”
Having featured heavily for Argentina all the way through to the final of the North American World Cup, Mac Allister has been granted an extended holiday to recover before reporting for club duty. Consequently, he will miss Liverpool’s pre-season fixtures in the US including matches against Sunderland in Nashville, Wrexham at Yankee Stadium, and Leeds United at Soldier Field.
Mac Allister is scheduled to return to AXA Training Centre on August 10 at the earliest. His return leaves him with less than a fortnight to get match-ready before Iraola’s first official fixture in charge of Liverpool: a tough away clash against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday, August 23 (4:30 PM BST, live on Sky Sports)
With Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch having signed long-term extensions on Merseyside, Mac Allister enters the campaign with two years remaining on his current contract. Despite his late arrival to pre-season training, he remains a central figure in Iraola’s plans alongside summer additions Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz.
With the head coach issuing a firm hand and player representatives closing the door on La Liga rumours, Liverpool remain fully committed to maintaining their core midfield star power heading into the new season.
Liverpool’s finest assets are simply not for sale.
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