Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is beginning to attract renewed attention in Spain, with the country’s leading football newspapers once again discussing the Argentina international following his impressive resurgence under Andoni Iraola.
The 27-year-old has been linked with Real Madrid on several occasions, although speculation surrounding a possible move to the Bernabéu had quietened after earlier reports failed to develop into anything concrete.
Now, with Mac Allister rediscovering his best form and his long-term contract situation at Anfield still unresolved, the midfielder is finding himself back in the Spanish football spotlight.
Madrid-based sports daily AS published a detailed feature on Monday, 26 October, examining his transformation under Iraola.
Written by Simón Escudero, the article carried the headline “Iraola ‘arregla’ el caso Mac Allister” — “Iraola ‘fixes’ the Mac Allister problem” — and highlighted how the Liverpool midfielder has returned to the level that previously established him among Europe’s most highly regarded players in his position.
According to AS, Iraola’s tactical changes have been instrumental in Mac Allister’s improvement, particularly the switch from zonal pressing to man-to-man marking.
The newspaper cited Opta statistics showing that the Argentine is winning more duels, recovering possession more frequently and contributing significantly more in attacking areas than he did last season.
His goalscoring figures have also improved, with Mac Allister already just one goal away from matching his total from the previous campaign.
While the latest AS article is primarily concerned with his performances rather than a potential transfer, it represents another chapter in the Spanish media’s continuing interest in the Liverpool midfielder.
A familiar name in the Spanish press
Mac Allister’s future has been discussed repeatedly by Spanish football publications throughout 2026, with AS and MARCA both reporting on his contractual situation and previous links with Real Madrid.
In March, AS covered comments from his father and agent, Carlos Mac Allister, confirming that negotiations over a new Liverpool contract had not begun.
The following month, the newspaper explored the possibility of a move to Madrid under the headline “Mac Allister se pone a tiro” — suggesting the Argentine could become an attainable target.
That April report, written by AS’s London correspondent Pablo Montaño, referred to reporting in The Telegraph about possible departures from Liverpool and discussed how Mac Allister’s circumstances might present an opportunity for Real Madrid.
AS noted that the midfielder had previously been linked with the Spanish giants and suggested he possessed the qualities Madrid were seeking as they considered reinforcements in midfield.
The subject continued to attract attention during the summer.
In July, MARCA reported comments from Carlos Mac Allister denying suggestions that negotiations with Real Madrid were taking place.
Both MARCA and AS returned to the midfielder’s future in September, when his father again addressed the absence of contract negotiations at Liverpool and dismissed reports of contact with the Spanish club.
Those comments helped cool speculation surrounding a possible move, and there has been no reliable indication that Madrid have subsequently opened negotiations or made a formal approach.
The latest coverage therefore marks an interesting shift in emphasis.
Rather than concentrating on whether Mac Allister could leave Anfield, AS is now highlighting his resurgence under Iraola and the improvements that have made him such an influential figure in Liverpool’s midfield once again.
Mac Allister has previously spoken about playing in Spain
The Argentine’s name has also remained relevant to the Spanish football media because of his own previous comments about potentially playing in La Liga.
Speaking to AS in December 2024, Mac Allister acknowledged that he would like to experience Spanish football at some stage of his career.
He explained that Spain appealed to him because of its language and cultural similarities with Argentina, although he was equally clear that he was happy at Liverpool and was not thinking about leaving.
Those comments have provided a recurring backdrop to speculation about his future, particularly given Real Madrid’s reported admiration for the World Cup winner.
However, there is an important distinction between a player expressing an interest in experiencing another league and actively seeking a transfer.
Mac Allister has repeatedly emphasised his happiness at Liverpool, and there is no reliable evidence that he has asked to leave.
Liverpool contract situation remains unresolved
Mac Allister’s existing contract runs until June 2028, and Liverpool have yet to announce an extension.
In September, his father confirmed that the club had not approached the player’s representatives about a new agreement.
Carlos also insisted that his son remained committed to Liverpool and that Real Madrid had never contacted them.
Although there is still time for Liverpool to address the situation, Mac Allister’s contractual future is likely to remain a subject of discussion, particularly if his performances continue to improve.
The midfielder’s resurgence has strengthened his importance to Iraola’s team, while also providing Spanish journalists with a fresh reason to revisit a player whose future has been the subject of considerable speculation.
For now, there is no evidence that Real Madrid have revived their pursuit, and the latest AS feature should not be interpreted as suggesting that a transfer is being negotiated.
What is clear is that Mac Allister’s name continues to feature in the Spanish football press, with the focus now turning towards his impressive performances after an earlier period dominated by questions about his future.
With his contract situation unresolved, his previous comments about wanting to play in Spain and Real Madrid’s reported interest forming part of the background, Mac Allister is once again becoming a talking point beyond England.
Whether that renewed attention eventually develops into fresh transfer speculation remains to be seen.
