Liverpool transfer news: First deal in a decade with Man City is now on

Liverpool could be about to do something outrageous as a first transfer between Man City is on the cards in over a decade.

There has actually been a surprising amount of movement between the two clubs at academy level in recent years. Despite the rivalry between the two clubs, young players have been crossing the divide with increasing regularity, and Liverpool have certainly benefited from it.

Over the past year alone, several players have swapped City’s academy for Liverpool. Lucas Alford and Alfie Dooley both made the move earlier this season, joining up with the U15s, while Lucas Clarke was recruited from City last year and has since progressed to the U18s.

That makes it difficult to dismiss as a coincidence. There appears to be a growing attraction for young players in what Liverpool can offer.

Part of that comes down to the pathway into senior football.

Manchester City’s academy is packed with talented players. The club has an outstanding record of developing young footballers, but the sheer level of competition means breaking into the first team is incredibly difficult. Even the most talented prospects can find themselves competing with several other elite players for the same position.

Liverpool can offer something slightly different.

The pathway at Anfield has become increasingly attractive to academy players who believe they have a genuine chance of making the step up. Liverpool have shown a willingness to trust young players when the opportunity presents itself, and recent breakthroughs have only strengthened that reputation.

For a teenager trying to decide where the best place is to develop, that can be hugely important.

It is not simply about which academy has the better facilities or produces the most talented youngsters. There also has to be a realistic route towards first-team football.

That is something Liverpool can increasingly sell to prospective recruits.

The movement from City to Liverpool suggests that message is beginning to resonate. It is still early days, but if more young players continue to make the same decision, it could become an increasingly important recruitment avenue for Liverpool.

The rivalry between the two clubs however is very much intense at senior level. The last direct transfer between the two clubs at that level was over a decade ago in 2015 when Raheem Sterling joined the City in a shock move.

Now for the first time in a decade, Liverpool could be about to do business with City again and it would be over an outrageous deal.

According to talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, Mac Allister has been discussed internally at City, although there has been no contact or developments with Liverpool.

This would be an insane move.

The Argentine may have been in poor form last season but he still showed at the World Cup that he can be an elite player helping Argentine reach the final of the competition.

Liverpool sure might be willing to cash in on him and earn a profit with his contract expiring in 2028 and there being no progress in negotiations.

However, they cannot be selling their player to an arch rival. Movement at academy level between the two sides who are so closely situated is normal but at senior level, the Reds cannot be letting a key player join City without at least getting something in return themselves.