EXCLUSIVE: With Brighton and Hove Albion fans bracing themselves for inevitable interest in Alexis Mac Allister after his performances in the World Cup, Manchester City could be his potential suitors

Guardiola is eying one of Brighton’s most precious gems

Manchester City are hot on the heels of Brighton’s World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister.

City boss Pep Guardiola believes the Argentinian star, inspirational in his country’s success in Qatar last year, would be the perfect addition for his squad this summer. The English champions will face plenty of competition for Mac Allister’s services, though, as Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all expected to join an intense race.

That will spark a transfer bidding war, with Brighton’s £70million valuation likely to be smashed to pieces in the process. Guardiloa, who also wants to sign England and Borussia Dortmund Jude Bellingham, is determined to freshen up his central midfield options for next season.

The futures of skipper Ilkay Gundogan, 32, and Portuguese ace Bernardo Silva, 28, remain up in the air with neither having sorted out extensions to their current contracts, which expire in June.

Guardiola would like to keep both but knows that might prove impossible this time. Hence, City are stepping up their search for top ready-made replacements

Mac Allister, 24, who started all seven games for Argentina at the World Cup, has added goals to his armoury this season, scoring seven times in all competitions for Premier League high-fliers Brighton.

Mac Allister has had an extremely impressive season

His ability to play box-to-box as well as as a more defensive holding player makes him an obvious target. And while he has never stated any desire to leave the Amex Stadium, that will do nothing to deter the big guns pursuing their interest in one of the game’s rising stars.

Mac Allister is under contract until June 2025 and the Seagulls have the option to trigger another 12 months with the ex-Boca Juniors star.

However, it seems they will not stand in his way should he express a strong desire to move to a bigger club, where he can taste Champions League football for the first time.