Alexis Mac Allister stayed at Liverpool this summer despite months of transfer speculation surrounding his future at Anfield.
The Argentine midfielder was strongly linked with a move away from the club, with Real Madrid and Manchester City both credited with interest at different points in the window.
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Mac Allister’s father and agent, Carlos, moved to dismiss the rumours as speculation intensified around deadline day.
“Alexis is not thinking about leaving Liverpool. He wants to stay at the club,” he told Winwin. He added that no contract talks had yet begun, but stressed that “the player’s desire is to continue at the club.”
The 27-year-old is under contract at Anfield until the summer of 2028, though last season saw a dip in form that raised questions over his role under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool have also lost Curtis Jones this summer, who completed a move to Inter Milan, further thinning their options in central midfield.
Despite the uncertainty, Liverpool made no additions to their midfield during the transfer window, opting instead to trust their existing options.
But according to David Ornstein, speaking on The Athletic FC podcast, the club already had a contingency plan in place had Mac Allister departed.
“There was a period of rumours, maybe a slight possibility, that Alexis Mac Allister might leave,” Ornstein said.
“He was linked with Manchester City, and, I think, earlier in the window with others as well. Curtis Jones left, too, so I understand your point on the holding midfield position.”
Ornstein then revealed the identity of Liverpool’s preferred alternative.
“Information reached us around deadline day that if Alexis Mac Allister had left, their top choice would have been Lamine Camara from Monaco,” he said.
“So maybe we have to watch this space in the future to see what happens around that.”
Camara was close to leaving Monaco on deadline day, but not for Liverpool.
Chelsea had agreed a fee of around €55 million (£47m) with the French club for the 22-year-old, and had also reached terms on a six-year contract with an option for a further year.
The Senegal international passed a medical and appeared set to join Xabi Alonso’s side as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who moved to Manchester City.
Monaco, however, called off the transfer just one minute before the 11pm deadline, leaving Chelsea furious.
Camara has since remained in the principality, with Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro suggesting the midfielder could have “better options” in the future.
Liverpool have been credited with holding contact with Camara’s representatives throughout deadline day, with reports suggesting the club has asked him to wait for a potential move in 2027.
That interest is now expected to intensify, given Mac Allister’s contract situation and Ornstein’s comments on the podcast.
Camara joined Monaco from Metz in 2024 for an initial fee of around €15 million, signing a five-year deal. He has established himself as a regular for the Ligue 1 club and has also drawn interest from Manchester United, according to other reports.
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