Liverpool joy as shock Chelsea raid takes shape after Boehly spending spree backfires

A Chelsea raid Liverpool are ‘putting plans in place’ to execute has been given a huge lift following a damaging update on a player’s contract status, per reports.

Liverpool’s dismal campaign showed no signs of abating when falling to a humbling 3-0 defeat to Wolves on Saturday. The issues facing Jurgen Klopp are many, though the common consensus is the biggest problem lays in midfield.

The Reds were once the toughest team in the Premier League to play through. Now, the opposite is true.

Liverpool are pinning their hopes on a blockbuster Jude Bellingham coup to revitalise their engine room over the summer. However, Bellingham alone cannot be expected to turn Liverpool’s ship around.

Indeed, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all out of contract at season’s end. With Jordan Henderson and Fabinho seemingly on the decline, two or even three midfield additions will be required.

Aside from Bellingham, the Guardian have repeatedly talked up a shock Liverpool move for Chelsea’s Mason Mount.

The newspaper put the Reds and Juventus on Mount’s trail back in November. They doubled down in mid-January when claiming Liverpool are ‘monitoring the situation closely’ and have been ‘putting plans in place for a summer move.’

Prising Mount out of Stamford Bridge ordinarily wouldn’t be straightforward. However, the latest from the Daily Mail paints a different picture.

Lavish Chelsea spend has ramifications for Mount

Mount’s current contract with the Blues has 18 months left to run. Talks over an extension were due to take place after the World Cup and the Mail reveal not only have they not resulted in an agreement, but Chelsea and Mount are ‘a long way apart’ in their respective positions.

The 24-year-old wants to be brought in line with Chelsea’s top earners including summer signing Raheem Sterling. The Guardian report Mount pockets £75,000-a-week, while the Mail claim the figure is actually £80,000-a-week.

In any case, Mount hopes to see his salary trebled to well over £200,000-a-week. Chelsea, at least for the time being, don’t appear to believe he’s worth such a contract.

Mount’s future is now described as being ‘in doubt’ after the latest round of talks broke down. Unless either side significantly alters their position, the situation appears to be heading for an impasse.

The Guardian previously put Juventus in the frame alongside Liverpool in the event Mount does depart.

However, the Turin club are in turmoil following a 15-point deduction for alleged financial malpractice. Major moves for players the calibre of Mount aren’t likely to be on their radar any time soon.

Mount can play in a midfield three or virtually anywhere across a forward line. However, Chelsea have made new additions all across the pitch and the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez are likely to be given priority by manager Graham Potter.

With Mount’s position as a regular starter under threat and a contract extension unlikely, Liverpool’s chances of securing the shock raid over the summer have never been greater.

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