Liverpool have already held serious discussions about signing Mason Mount from Chelsea.
That’s according to The Athletic, who claim that ‘significant conversations’ have taken place in regards to a potential move this summer.
As they prepare to play their hand, Liverpool are said to have been giving ‘proper consideration’ to the contract they could offer Mount.
From Chelsea’s point of view this reportedly isn’t a surprise. They’re still claimed to be dead-set on not allowing the England man to leave on a free in 2024. As a result, they’ve supposedly ‘accepted’ that the likes of Liverpool may be plotting moves.
Despite that, The Athletic report that they won’t let Mount go on the cheap. Regardless of his contract situation, Chelsea are said to be still looking for £70m to sell their academy graduate.
Mount on the move
By now, the thought of Liverpool signing Mount this summer feels like a real possibility. At one stage it seemed a little like a bargaining tool from the player to get a better contract, but not any more.
Things seem to have gone beyond the point of no return. From the tone of current reports, the England man’s exit feels like a matter ‘where to’ rather than if.
And from the tone of those reports, including this one from The Athletic, Liverpool are the very clear favourites.
However, if Chelsea keep up their valuation of £70m, it isn’t going to happen. Throughout the saga they’ve been very clear that Mount won’t be allowed to leave for nothing.
Consequently, any buying club know that this summer if the Blues’ last chance to get anything significant for him.
With that in mind, there’s no way Liverpool – or anyone else – will pay anything like £70m. We know Todd Boehly and co don’t appear to have any regard for market valuations, but they’re going to have to climb down on this one. When they do, it sounds like the Reds will be ready to pounce.