Deal close : 24-year-old midfielder likelier to agree Liverpool deal instead of Chelsea...

According to This is Anfield, Liverpool may have the upper hand in pursuing Mason Mount. The 24-year-old midfielder is reportedly leaning towards joining the Merseysiders than signing a new deal at Chelsea, but the £70 million price tag may become a problem for the Reds.

Mason Mount could become a hotly contested subject of the upcoming transfer window. The 24-year-old midfielder’s future is the subject of intense speculation as there are chances he might leave or sign a new deal at Chelsea.

So far, Chelsea have yet to find a breakthrough in negotiations with the 24-year-old midfielder’s camp. Reports have suggested Mount has stalled on talks after the club’s offers did not come close to his asking wages. Incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino wants Chelsea to prioritise a new contract for their star, but something seems to need to be more advanced at this stage.

In the background, Liverpool have reportedly laid the groundwork to sign Mount in the last few months. Jurgen Klopp likes the 24-year-old midfielder ahead of the summer window and wants to sign him as part of a midfield revamp.

Alexis Mac Allister is getting closer to joining Liverpool, but once the deal is done, they will switch their focus towards Mount. As per the report, Mason Mount will likely join Liverpool and sign a new contract at Chelsea as a crucial period awaits the 24-year-old midfielder.

Arsenal are also keen to sign Mount if presented with an opportunity. Deals between the London rivals may carry a bit of volatility, but it’s still possible. The Gunners recently signed Jorginho, but overall the two clubs have conducted business recently.

However, Arsenal may look at other targets as they might concede to Liverpool in the chase for Mount. The Merseysiders have maintained their interest since November, as Klopp sees the 24-year-old as an ideal fit for his system.

Chelsea might make another concerted effort to tie the midfielder to a new deal. As for Liverpool, they could stumble upon a problem with the 24-year-old midfielder’s potential £70 million asking price. The report does insist if Mound decides to leave, the Blues might have to sell him for less than their current valuations.

Either way, Klopp could urge the club to make room for Mount and ensure they have the funds to conclude a potential transfer. For now, nothing’s been decided about his long-term future, as Chelsea may still have a standing chance to extend his current deal, which expires in 2024.