Lionel Messi applauds after seeing footage of 24-year-old who Tottenham reportedly want to sign

Add as preferred source on Google

Lionel Messi has applauded recent footage of reported Tottenham Hotspur target Alexis Mac Allister returning to Brighton after his World Cup campaign.

Antonio Conte’s men have been linked with a move for several midfielders as the January window rumours gather pace, despite the fact they’ve signed Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur over the past year.

L’Interista claimed last month that Mac Allister has emerged as a possible target for Tottenham after his brilliant displays for Argentina at the World Cup.

The 24-year-old forced his way into Lionel Scaloni’s side after being named amongst the substitutes for their opener against Saudi Arabia. He didn’t lose his place in the team thereafter and starred in the middle of the park.

Now, Mac Allister has returned to Brighton as a World Cup winner and Messi applauded the reception he received on the south coast.

Messi applauds footage of Mac Allister

Brighton posted a video of Mac Allister wearing his winners medal and holding the World Cup trophy on Instagram.

The midfielder received a hero’s welcome as the staff at the club applauded his achievements.

Mac Allister also received a similar reaction from his Argentina teammate Messi, who left five round of applause emojis beneath the post. 

Mac Allister’s stock has certainly risen after his displays in Qatar, with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all said to be interested in signing him.

Messi is clearly big fan of the Seagulls ace after his contributions in midfield helped the Paris Saint-Germain star to lift his first World Cup.

He’s been exceptional for Brighton this season too, scoring five goals in 14 appearances from the middle of the park.

The Seagulls are in a commanding position in terms of what they can demand for their World Cup star, especially as his contract is set to run until 2025.

Spurs are in need of a midfielder like Mac Allister as they lack creativity in the middle of the park. But it seems highly unlikely that Conte’s men will be willing to spend big on him. 

Tottenham seem to be stuck between a rock and a hard place right now, with the club seemingly unwilling to back Conte fully in the market. While Mac Allister certainly fits the profile of a typical Spurs signing, it would take a huge amount of money to tempt Brighton into selling right now.