Man Utd to rival Liverpool for Chelsea star being cruelly phased out as Barcelona also enter hunt

Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea

The race to sign a seemingly-unsettled Chelsea star is set to reach fever pitch in the coming weeks and months with Manchester United and Barcelona ready to rival Liverpool in the chase for the attacking midfielder.

The Blues have spent around £500m on a total of 17 new players since Todd Boehly and Co took over last summer. Their regime has seen a whole raft of top-quality talent come through the doors at Stamford Bridge, though with it, has come an entire new set of issues.

The most obvious one has been to beleaguered boss Graham Potter. Stepping into the high-pressure role, he has struggled to find his best side given the sheer volume of players at his disposal. As such, it should perhaps come as no surprise to see Chelsea struggling to find their consistent best.

And while performances have been better in recent weeks, the Blues still find themselves with just two wins from their last 10 games.

As a result, Potter’s side are currently 10th in the Premier League table and must also overturn a 1-0 deficit to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Furthermore, with such lavish spending, it is inevitable at some point that some players will have to move on.

As a result, Chelsea look increasingly likely to move on a number of costly stars. To that end, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech are among those likely to make way.

To that end, we understand as many as 12 players could be asked to move on this summer.


READ MOREBoehly to show a ‘dozen’ players Chelsea exit door with major summer signing ‘not performing’ as expected


Mason Mount wanted by Liverpool, Man Utd and Barcelona

However, perhaps the most difficult departure of the lot will come in the form of Mason Mount.

Having been with Chelsea since signing for their Under-9s, Mount has a long-standing connection to the club.

A popular player among his teammates, the staff and supporters, Mount’s determination to remain a one-club player is now being severely tested to the limit.

As it stands, his deal at Stamford Bridge is due to expire in summer 2024. Talks over an extension have been going on for some time, but the two parties reportedly remain some distance apart.

Currently on around £80,000 a week, Mount is reportedly seeking a new deal worth around three-times that amount. Indeed, a £240,000 a week package would earn him parity with another Chelsea academy graduate, Reece James.

However, Chelsea currently remain some way short of that. And there is mounting speculation that a failure to see an agreement reached by the summer will lead to his sale.

To that end, Liverpool are reportedly leading the chase as Jurgen Klopp looks to revamp his midfield.

However, the Evening Standard insists the Reds are far from the sole suitors for Mount.

And they report that both Manchester United and Manchester City cannot be discounted from the race either.

Per their report, United manager Erik ten Hag is a huge admirer of Mount. He has seemingly followed his career with a keen interest since the then 18-year-old was loaned to Vitesse Arnhem in Holland. Encountering and beating Ten Hag’s Ajax, he was named the club’s Player of the Season during his year in the Eredivisie.

Pep Guardiola is also likely to be keen, particularly with Ilkay Gundogan likely to leave for Barcelona this summer.

And according to Calciomercato, Barcelona are also ready to throw their hat into the ring for Mount.

Potter addresses Mount future

As it stands, the next weeks and months will be key to determining Mount’s future.

Saturday’s Transfer Gossip claims Chelsea are looking to make Joao Felix’s move to Stamford Bridge permanent this summer. And after learning his fee will set them back £80m, Mount looks an immediate fall-guy should the move for the Portuguese go through.

Addressing speculation on Mount’s future, Potter admits negotiations over a new deal have proven tricky.

“It’s always complicated, there is always negotiations,” Potter said on Friday.

“It’s best I leave it between Mason and the club. That is 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, and of course, I hope it gets resolved quickly.”

Since Potter took charge of Chelsea, Mount has three goals and six assists in 23 appearances. And his overall record for the Blues reads 33 goals and 37 assists from 190 appearances.

That works out at a goal contribution every 2.7 appearances.

READ MORE ~ Neymar to Chelsea: Expert confirms PSG stance and what really happened in Todd Boehly talks