BRIGHTON boss Roberto De Zerbi has admitted that star duo Alex Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo are set to leave the club.
The Seagulls signed off their campaign with a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa this afternoon.
However, they are still celebrating after securing a sixth-place finish and Europa League football next term.
Midfield duo Mac Allister, 24, and Caicedo, 21, have both played a key role in that success and have a host of top clubs chasing their services.
And their manager is resigned to losing the pair of them once the transfer window re-opens.
Speaking after the Villa loss, De Zerbi said: “I think it can be the last game of Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo.
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“I think it is right they can leave, change team and play at a higher level.”
Mac Allister was spotted in tears after the defeat at Villa after seemingly playing his final game for the club.
He has been linked with an array of top clubs following his superb World Cup winning exploits with Argentina.
The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Liverpool for a long time and is said to be very close to completing his transfer to Merseyside.
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Chelsea have also been reported as interested in the midfielder, but may struggle to attract him without European football while Man City have allegedly joined the chase to sign him.
Mac Allister has scored 10 goals and assisted a further two in the league this season and will likely command a huge fee if he does leave Brighton, with his contract not due to expire until 2025.
Ecuadorian Caicedo helped the Seagulls secure Europa League football on Wednesday evening after a 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
He had been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in the January transfer window, but Brighton clung on to their man.
He then penned a new deal to keep him on the South Coast until 2027. But he is still expected to leave Brighton at the end of the season as both Chelsea and Arsenal circle for his signature.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
