Fabrizio Romano claims release clause for Liverpool transfer target is ‘lower than reported’

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the release clause for one of Liverpool’s primary summer transfer targets is less than reported in some quarters.

Judging by various reports over the past month or so, the price for Alexis Mac Allister appears to be ever-diminishing. From an initial £70m+ asking price being sought by Brighton (Sky Sports), the Italian journalist later tweeted that the 24-year-old could be be acquired for substantially less than £60m.

It now seems it could take less than that again for the Reds to get their man, according to a Twitter update from Romano on Monday lunchtime.

He revealed: “The release clause for Alexis Mac Allister is lower than reported £45/50m. This is why Liverpool feel this could be a bargain as they want to get documents signed this week after booking medical tests to be completed in 24/48h.”

If Liverpool do end up paying no more than £45m-£50m for Mac Allister in the context of previous reports quoting a minimum of £70m from Brighton, that’d indeed represent quite a ‘bargain’ for the Reds, as Romano put it.

His update corresponds with one from another reliable source in Ben Jacobs from earlier today, so that’s now two trusted reporters indicating that the Argentine could be acquired for around 35% less than the aforementioned Sky Sports article from early May had claimed.

It seems to be nothing but good news on the Mac Allister front lately, especially after the Italian journalist’s big news this morning (via Twitter) that a ‘full agreement’ has been reached and the player will undergo a medical over the next couple of days.

This is looking increasingly like a fantastic piece of prospective transfer business, and it’d be quite a statement from Jorg Schmadtke only a few days after he took over as Liverpool’s new sporting director.

The release clause for Alexis Mac Allister is lower than reported £45/50m. ✨🇦🇷 #LFC

This is why Liverpool feel this could be a bargain as they want to get documents signed this week after booking medical tests to be completed in 24/48h.

It’s such a rarity in the modern age for one player to play for both Liverpool and Everton, that there’s only been one man in the past 16 years (Conor Coady) and the last direct transfer (Abel Xavier) was over 22 years ago.

Not since David Johnson in 1982 have we seen one man have more than one spell at either club but in Arthur Berry we have a tale of a a gold medal-winning footballer that is truly unique - that is likely never to be repeated again.

Thanks to quotes from 'Crossing the Park: The Men Who Dared to Play for Both Liverpool and Everton', that is released on 24th of April, his story can be shared with a modern audience.

Berry already holds the unique honour of being the first man who has represented both Merseyside clubs, whose career began at Anfield. The Liverpool-born all-rounder had a privileged childhood that saw him go on to be educated at Oxford University, where his sporting prowess was honed.

Leaving university saw his first step into Merseyside football, as he returned home to his family. He was of prestigious stock, including Edwin Berry - his father and then Liverpool chairman.

The Scouser spent three years at Anfield but struggled to make an impact on the first-team, Berry thrived though in the rules of the time that allowed him to freely move between clubs: ‘representing Wrexham in no fewer than six separate stints, playing for the aptly named Northern Nomads and even remaining to live in Merseyside but commuting to play for Fulham. It was clear that the forward had talent but he seemed to prefer to keep his fingers in several pies, rather than focusing on what could have been a rather successful Scouse pie at home’.

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