Alexis Mac Allister joins Boca Juniors on season long loan

Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has joined Argentinian giants Boca Juniors on a season long loan.

Despite forking out £7m for the 20-year-old in January, the Albion loaned him straight back to Argentinos Juniors.

At the time, Brighton boss Chris Hughton said, “It is in the best interests of all three parties (Albion, Mac Allister and Juniors) to allow him to return to Juniors, as he will be able to continue playing regular first-team football in a very competitive league.”

Turns out that was bollocks – he was actually loaned straight back because the Albion were unable to secure a work permit for him to play Premier League football.

That situation hasn’t changed, which is why Mac Allister finds himself on the end of another temporary switch in his home country.

His signature has been highly sought this summer. Five of South America’s biggest clubs – Boca, Independiente, San Lorenzo, Racing Club and Estudiantes – were said to be interested in taking him on loan after a 2018-19 campaign in which he notched five goals and one assist from 23 appearances for Juniors.

And it’s Boca, the 33 time champions of Argentina who have sealed the deal. The big question for Albion fans will be can this move help to secure Mac Allister secure a work permit for the 2020-21 season?

Possibly. Mac Allister’s best route to becoming qualified to play in Britain looks to be by becoming a fully fledged Argentina international.

Should he break into the Argentina squad with some regularity over the 2019-20 season, then the Albion will be able to lodge an appeal for him to be granted a special work permit as a young player of considerable talents playing for one of the top 50 nations in the FIFA World Rankings.

This is the route that they went down successfully with Jose Izquierdo, who only had a handful of Colombia caps to his name at the time of his arrival at the Amex in the summer of 2017.

Playing for one of the biggest clubs in Argentina should help Mac Allister’s case for international recognition. It also means he will compete in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s version of the Champions League.

Should Mac Allister play in at least 30% of available minutes in the competition, then he can start acquiring points towards a work permit that way as well.

A good run for Boca would be extremely helpful for the Albion. They kick off their campaign with a two-legged tie against Brazilian side Club Athletico Paranaense in late July and early August.

They reached the final last year, losing 5-3 to arch rivals River Plate over two legs. The second leg was famously moved 6,000 miles from Buenos Aires to Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium after the initial fixture was postponed when Boca’s team bus was attacked by River fans, causing injury to players and staff. And you thought Southampton away being switched to a Monday night was inconvenient.

Mac Allister can also pick up points for his domestic efforts with Boca in the Primera División. Argentina’s top flight is ranked as one of two best leagues from Central and South America and again, he needs to play in at least 30% of available minutes.

According to Brian Owen in The Argus, saga of where Mac Allister would end up has dominated the summer transfer talk in Argentina. That shows the regard that has potential has in his home nation.

Hopefully, Mac Allister can start delivering on that for Boca this season. If he does, then we might even get to see him in a Brighton shirt some time soon.