Chelsea struggling to prevent high profile star from joining Liverpool as part of triple homegrown exit

Chelsea are ‘almost certain’ to be in need of multiple player exits to conform with Financial Fair Play over the summer, and a report has detailed three homegrown stars who could leave, with one potentially to Liverpool.

The Blues forked out well in excess of half a billion pounds over the last two transfer windows. Per the Daily Mail, the mass influx of new recruits is having a negative effect on Graham Potter’s training sessions.

However, despite a report to the contrary from the Telegraph, the Guardian recently echoed the Athletic and Ben Jacobs when stressing Potter’s position is not under threat.

However, while the manager is not in danger, several of Chelsea’s first-team squad soon will be.

The Mirror state Chelsea missing out on next season’s Champions League won’t be a ‘disaster’ financially. However, the drop in revenue means it’s ‘almost certain’ several players will have to be offloaded.

The newspaper then rather vaguely  state ‘clubs get more relief from selling homegrown players compared to foreign signings who eat into the FFP allowance.’

As such, a potential triple exit of academy graduates Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek is cited.

Gallagher to Newcastle? Mount to Liverpool?

Gallagher was on Newcastle’s radar during the January window with Eddie Howe aware he needs far greater strength in depth ahead of a European campaign next season. Man Utd’s Scott McTominay is another central midfielder he likes.

Loftus-Cheek’s contract expires in the summer of 2024, though the Blues do hold an option for an extra year. However, the most eye-catching exit would undoubtedly be Mason Mount.

The 24-year-old is a known target of Liverpool and like Loftus-Cheek, will see his deal end in mid-2024.

Mount’s contract does not contain a 12-month option, meaning Chelsea must make a decision this summer or run the risk of a highly saleable asset walking away for nothing a year later. Given their impending FFP difficulties, losing Mount for free would be nothing short of disastrous.

Liverpool are deemed ‘very keen’ on the midfielder and Jurgen Klopp will be hunting two or even three additions in the engine room this summer. Jude Bellingham is his primary target, though the arrivals won’t stop at just one.

The Reds are reportedly on ‘pole position’ for Mount and remarkably enough, may even be able to pay higher wages than the free-spending Blues.

That’s because part of Chelsea’s transfer strategy has been signing players on extremely long-term deals for a base salary slightly lower than you might expect.

If that policy is applied to discissions with Mount, the Mirror add Chelsea ‘may struggle to match the wages being offered elsewhere’, with the finger pointed squarely at Anfield.

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