Albion could reap the benefits of Alexis Mac Allister’s first senior call-up by Argentina.

The 20-year-old attacking player on loan to Boca Juniors was a surprise inclusion in the party named by Lionel Scaloni for two September friendlies in the USA.

An appearance or two against Mexico in Los Angeles and Chile in San Antonio could be of indirect benefit to any pursuit of a work permit to play in the Premier League.

A well-placed source has also underlined it would increase the transfer value of a player whose stock has risen dramatically since the Seagulls signed him in January.

Mac Allister has already made a big impression with his beloved Boca after his loan allegiance was switched from Argentinos Juniors in our summer.

He hit a spectacular winner in their Copa Libertadores win away to Athletico Paranaense in Brazil.

That competition continues this week with Boca playing the away leg of their quarter-final against LDU de Quito at altitude in Ecuador.

Appearances in the senior continental knockout and the domestic league, in which Mac Allister has yet to start for Boca, count towards a successful work permit application.

That is not the case with friendly internationals such as those Argentina will tackle in the States early next month.

The indirect benefits in that respect, however, are potentially two-fold.

Impressive performances would give him a foot in the door for when competitive internationals come around.

It is also likely he will progress and improve as a player thanks to working with the national set-up, even in the absence of the banned Lionel Messi and rested Sergio Aguero.

Boca were thought to be keen on inserting a right-to-buy option when they took Mac Allister on loan for the season.

His father and agent Carlos, who was a defender both Boca and Argentina, has cast doubts on whether Alexis will play for Albion, saying: “Today the players decide. If he’s happy at Boca, he will stay at the club.”

But Albion, whose £8 million swoop when Mac Allister was at lowly Argentinos is starting to look like an inspired piece of business, hold the controlling hand.

The No.10 or wideman is under contract with the Seagulls until June 2023.