Liverpool plan to sign Chelsea contract rebel under serious threat from Newcastle as Arsenal are also urged to launch bid
A Chelsea star looks destined to become the subject of a three-way transfer race this summer amid claims Liverpool are now facing major competition from Newcastle and Arsenal for his signature.
The Reds are planning a major rebuild of their midfield this summer after struggling there this season. And with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to depart, Jurgen Klopp wants at least two additions there this summer.
They are being linked with a number of potential signings, and this feature examined the 45 midfielders already touted with a move to Anfield this summer.
Indeed, Klopp certainly has plenty of thinking to do before he can finalise his squad for the 2023/24 season.
One name that has persistently cropped up recently is Chelsea star Mason Mount.
The England midfielder has just 16 months left on his current arrangement at Stamford Bridge.
Talks to extend that deal have so far failed to see an agreement reached. Mount is reportedly seeking parity with his teammate Reece James, who recently signed a deal with Chelsea worth £250,000 a week.
Yet the Blues’ offer towards Mount is, so far, for significantly less. As such, there is a growing possibility that Mount could enter the summer window with just a year left on his deal.
Having lavished over £500m on 17 new players since Todd Boehly and Co completed their takeover, there is a feeling that sales will be hugely-important for the Blues this summer.
As such, Ben Jacobs revealed to TEAMtalk that Mount is one of five players who could be made available this summer.
Liverpool face Newcastle competition for Mason Mount
And if a new agreement is not reached before then, Mount may well be set to end his long assocation with Chelsea.
As a result, Liverpool are being strongly linked with a raid on Chelsea for the 24-year-old star. Indeed, he seems like an ideal replacement for the injury-prone Oxlade-Chamberlain, who will leave Anfield as a free agent this summer.
However, it seems Liverpool will not have it all their own way over Mount.
And a report in the Daily Mail claims Newcastle are ready to launch a serious bid for his services this summer.
They claim there is a belief on Tyneside that they can lure Mount to St James’ Park this summer.
And while FFP limitations could prove their undoing, they certainly have the funds needed to tempt Mount to the North-East.
Furthermore, they will reportedly offer Mount the wages he craves at Chelsea to help push through his signing.
Eddie Howe also wants to add more goals to his midfield and sees Mount as the perfect player to target.
Arsenal urged to make move to sign Chelsea star
They are not the only sides pondering a move for Mount either, it seems.
And former star Emmanuel Frimpong wants Arsenal to offer the star a chance to stay in London.
That said, Frimpong would not want Arsenal to pay over the odds as he explained to BoyleSports.
“Mason Mount is a very good player, not world-class, but a good enough player to play for Arsenal,” he said.
“He would bolster Arsenal’s squad. If I was in charge of Arsenal, he is the player I would like to bring in. Mount is very young, never injured, very professional and an England international.
“He has not been in great form but neither have Chelsea all season. You don’t win Chelsea player of the year two times in a row if you’re not a good player. If the money is too much, then Arsenal would have to walk away. We’re not Manchester City, we can’t spend that much money on one player.”
Chelsea boss Graham Potter, meanwhile, has indicated he may be powerless to prevent Mount departing this summer.
However, he does hope an agreement can soon be reached to keep him at Stamford Bridge.
“I think it is always complicated. There is always negotiation. It is best that I leave it between Mason and the club,” Potter said.
“That’s the best way for that to be dealt with. As far as I’m concerned, he’s been fantastic to work with, an important player for us. Of course, I hope it gets resolved quickly.”
