Real Madrid are reportedly stepping away from plans to pursue Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister ahead of the summer 2026 transfer window. The development comes as welcome news for Liverpool, who have no intention of parting ways with one of their most influential players, but represents a setback for Manchester United, whose transfer strategy may now face renewed competition elsewhere.
Mac Allister has long been admired by senior figures at the Santiago Bernabéu, with his technical quality, tactical intelligence, and big-game experience making him an ideal fit for Madrid’s midfield profile. In September 2025, TEAMtalk correspondent Dean Jones reported that interest from the Spanish giants was genuine and ongoing.
However, despite the admiration, Liverpool have consistently maintained that Mac Allister is not for sale—a stance reiterated by multiple sources close to the club.
Liverpool Firm on Mac Allister’s Future
Since arriving at Anfield in 2023 for a reported fee of £55 million, Mac Allister has become a cornerstone of Liverpool’s midfield. The Argentine international has played a pivotal role in helping the Reds secure major honors, including the Premier League and the Carabao Cup.
Liverpool’s position has been clear from the outset: they do not intend to entertain offers for the midfielder in the summer of 2026. According to The Telegraph’s Sam Wallace, the club views Mac Allister as a long-term leader and a player central to their future ambitions.
That firm stance has made any potential move increasingly complex, even for a club with Real Madrid’s financial power.
Real Madrid Shift Strategy Toward Youth
Spanish media now suggest that Real Madrid are adjusting their transfer priorities. Reports indicate that the club is turning away from high-cost, fully developed stars such as Mac Allister or Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha, and instead doubling down on their long-term strategy of recruiting elite young talent.
AS, a newspaper closely aligned with Real Madrid, reported that the club’s sporting success in recent seasons has reinforced confidence in this approach. Since 2019, Madrid have focused on signing players with long-term potential, allowing them to build a squad sustainably while spreading financial risk over multiple seasons.
“The strategy of incorporating young talent will remain intact for the summer 2026 window,” AS noted, emphasizing that expensive, short-term signings are no longer the priority.
Lessons From the Past Shape Madrid’s Approach
The report also reflected on past transfer windows to explain the evolution of Real Madrid’s thinking. In the 2019/20 season, the club invested heavily in players such as Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy, and Luka Jović. While Mendy proved useful, others failed to deliver the expected return on investment.
Since then, Madrid’s recruitment has been more targeted. Players like Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler, Endrick, Dean Huijsen, and Álvaro Carreras all fit the club’s preferred profile: young, high-ceiling talents capable of growing into elite performers.
Within that framework, Mac Allister—already a proven, fully developed midfielder—no longer aligns perfectly with Madrid’s current recruitment philosophy.
Kees Smit Emerges as Madrid’s New Target
Instead, Real Madrid are reportedly turning their attention to AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit. The Dutch prospect, who will turn 20 in January, is viewed as a player with immense upside and the potential to develop into a top-level midfielder over the next decade.
According to AS, Smit fits Madrid’s criteria perfectly: young, technically gifted, tactically adaptable, and available at a price that avoids the “three-digit” transfer fees associated with players like Mac Allister or Vitinha.
Madrid’s interest signals a clear shift toward future-focused recruitment rather than immediate star power.
Bad News for Manchester United
Real Madrid’s growing interest in Smit represents a significant complication for Manchester United. The Premier League side has been monitoring the Dutch midfielder closely, viewing him as a priority target to strengthen their midfield in the coming seasons.
On December 30, 2025, TEAMtalk correspondent Graeme Bailey reported that United had officially entered the race for Smit, with internal sources indicating strong enthusiasm from within the club.
United are not alone in their pursuit. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea have also been linked with the AZ Alkmaar standout, creating an increasingly competitive market.
Rising Price and Growing Competition
AZ Alkmaar are fully aware of the growing interest and are expected to demand a substantial fee. Reports suggest the Dutch club will seek at least €60 million, with some sources in the Netherlands believing the price could rise as high as €75 million if a bidding war develops.
For Manchester United, the challenge is twofold: competing financially with Europe’s elite while also convincing Smit that Old Trafford offers the best platform for his development. The allure of Real Madrid, with their history of nurturing young stars and the prestige of the Santiago Bernabéu, represents a formidable obstacle.
A Changing Landscape Ahead of Summer 2026
Real Madrid’s decision to cool their interest in Alexis Mac Allister reshapes the transfer landscape ahead of the 2026 summer window. Liverpool can take comfort in knowing that one of Europe’s most powerful clubs is no longer actively pursuing their midfield general.
For Manchester United, however, the shift creates new difficulties. As Madrid intensify their focus on Kees Smit, United’s pursuit of the young midfielder becomes far more complex.
With months still to go before the window opens, the battle for elite midfield talent is already heating up—and the strategic choices made now could define the balance of power in Europe for years to come.
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