Alexis Mac Allister Rejects Manchester City Move

Alexis Mac Allister has given Manchester City their answer. It’s no.

City sounded out the Liverpool midfielder as they explored alternatives to Enzo Fernandez, but the Argentina international has decided his future remains at Anfield, shutting down any prospect of a summer switch to the Etihad.

City reshaping, but Mac Allister off limits

This is a summer of upheaval in the Manchester City midfield. Bernardo Silva is on his way to Real Madrid as a free agent, Rodri is on course to join Barcelona, and Tijjani Reijnders is heading to Al Qadsiah. The core that powered City’s recent dominance is breaking up.

Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi are already through the door. A third midfield signing is expected. That was where City hoped one of two names might emerge: Enzo Fernandez or Alexis Mac Allister.

Enzo Maresca has pushed hard for Fernandez, eager to reunite with the Chelsea star. Chelsea, though, have drawn a hard line. A £120m release-clause-style valuation, and a strict 5pm UK deadline for any club willing to meet it. Hit the number in time and they will sell. Miss it and they will shut the door not only for the rest of this month, but for January as well.

Maresca has already suggested City are unlikely to launch any major late move in this window. In reality, that means the Chelsea deadline will pass without a £120m offer from Manchester. So City turned to Plan B.

talkSPORT reported that Mac Allister had moved onto City’s radar. The profile fits: technically sharp, tactically intelligent, Premier League proven, and comfortable in multiple midfield roles. But the pursuit has hit a brick wall.

“My son will stay at Liverpool”

The message came not from an agent brief, but from the player’s father. Carlos Mac Allister, a former professional himself, left no room for doubt when speaking to Fabrizio Romano.

“My son will stay at Liverpool. We have not discussed any possibility of him leaving the club this summer,” he said.

TEAMtalk have since verified that Manchester City did make an approach for Mac Allister. There was interest, there were conversations. But the response from the player’s camp was clear: Alexis is staying put.

Graeme Bailey, speaking via TEAMtalk’s sources, outlined why the 25-year-old has no intention of walking away, even after what was described as a difficult 2025/26 campaign.

Iraola factor keeps Mac Allister anchored

The key reason is the new man in the Liverpool dugout, Andoni Iraola.

“The midfielder is more than happy at Liverpool and is looking forward to working under new head coach Andoni Iraola, an inside source close to the player’s representatives has revealed,” Bailey reported.

Sources close to the player believe Iraola’s style and ideas will suit Mac Allister perfectly. The Argentine is said to be excited by the role he expects to play in the new manager’s plans, viewing the change in the technical area as an opportunity rather than a warning sign.

Instead of using City’s interest as leverage or an escape route, Mac Allister is doubling down on Liverpool. The focus, insiders say, is on returning to work and establishing himself as a central pillar of Iraola’s side.

Liverpool move to lock down their playmaker

Liverpool, for their part, are not taking that loyalty for granted.

Mac Allister’s current deal has just under two years left to run. The club are already weighing up an extension, with plans in place to open talks over a new contract later this year. The idea is simple: reward his importance with improved terms and shut down any lingering hopes rivals might have of prising him away.

“Liverpool, meanwhile, are equally keen to keep Mac Allister and we understand the club already have plans in place to open discussions over a new contract later this year,” Bailey added. “The midfielder currently has two years remaining on his existing deal, but Liverpool are open to extending his stay and want to recognise his importance to the team with improved terms.”

For now, there is no appetite from Mac Allister or his representatives to explore an exit. No angling, no flirting with the market. Just a commitment to become a key figure in Iraola’s Liverpool.

City will move on and hunt for their third midfielder elsewhere. Mac Allister, courted by the champions, has chosen a different path: to help shape what comes next at Anfield.