Real Madrid must drop interest in 'shining' Liverpool star

Real Madrid are reportedly eyeing Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister who continues to appear on the club's wishlist. The Argentine has been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu over the past year.

The latest claim made by Ekrem Konur is that Madrid view Mac Allister as a "top target" for the summer. They think he can be a key reinforcement in midfield amid their desire to sign a new creative outlet.

Mac Allister has appeared 39 times across competitions this season, posting five goals and four assists. He has shown improvement in recent months following a slow start to the campaign and helped his team win the Premier League last season.

Madrid want Mac Allister

Madrid saw up close just how effective Mac Allister is for Liverpool in midfield when he scored the winner in a 1-0 defeat to the Reds in the Champions League in November. He is versatile, able to play multiple midfield roles.

The main concern should be over Mac Allister's form, given he hasn't been at his best this season. If Los Blancos are keen on signing the 27-year-old, they should only do so for a reasonable fee.

Mac Allister, whom the report claims is "shining at Anfield", might suit Spanish football given its slower pace than the Premier League. He has lacked energy at times this season and has been linked with a possible summer exit.

Shouldn't be a 'top target'

Madrid have a long list of midfielders on their shortlist ahead of the summer transfer window. If the transfer chiefs want to go big for a new midfielder they need to turn to either Paris Saint-Germain's Vitinha or Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez.

Vitinha is arguably the best holding midfielder in Europe right now and is flourishing under Luis Enrique. He finished third in last year's Ballon d'Or race and improved relations between the two clubs could help aid a potential deal.

Fernandez has become a leader at Stamford Bridge, thriving in the middle of the park both going forward and helping out in defence. The Argentine reportedly dreams of playing for Los Merengues, but it would cost more than the €121 million his club paid Benfica for him.

Mac Allister feels like the ideal option to arrive alongside a more high-profile name such as Vitinha or Fernandez. If Los Blancos want to mark a new era under a new manager they need to get it right when addressing their midfield problems.