Juventus join the race to sign Arsenal and Chelsea target as first Messi meeting revealed

Juventus have joined the race to sign World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, according to reports in Italy.

Brighton midfielder Mac Allister, 24, is being tracked by several top clubs after playing a key role in Argentina's triumph in Qatar.

He featured in all but one of their games at the tournament and played 116 minutes of the final against France, which ended in a dramatic penalty shootout win for Lionel Scaloni's side.

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid have been linked with the midfielder, while Chelsea boss Graham Potter is reportedly keen to reunite with his former Brighton player at Stamford Bridge.

Italian outlet La Repubblica, as reported by the Daily Mail, claim that Juventus have now entered the race to sign Mac Allister in January.

Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri is said to have been deeply impressed by Mac Allister's performances at the World Cup and has given the green light for the club to make a move.

Brighton will be keen to keep the midfielder for the rest of the season and are in a strong negotiating position, having recently tied him down to a new contract which runs until 2025, with the option of a further year.

Mac Allister: Messi is my idol

Mac Allister recently opened up about the first time he met his international teammate, seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.

The meeting occurred in 2019 after Mac Allister was sent on loan to Boca Juniors by Brighton, shortly after joining the Premier League club from Argentinos Juniors.

"I was so nervous, my hands were shaking" Mac Allister told B/R Football.

"I'm a really shy guy, so yeah, I was really nervous. But then you realise how humble he is. In that moment, I was playing at Boca Juniors, so we had arrived from Argentina to [play] I think it was Spain for a friendly. And we arrived, and he was having dinner.

"I went to the table and said hello with my hands shaking. I was sweating. But it was an amazing moment.

"He's my idol. He's the best football player in the world."

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