Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount is still a ‘priority’ target for Liverpool despite him favouring a move to Man Utd.
Mount is out of contract in 2o24 and he is likely to be sold this summer if he does not agree terms with Chelsea over a new contract.
Liverpool have been heavily linked with the England international in recent months as Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of the midfielder.
But The Athletic’s David Ornstein claimed on Wednesday evening that Mount is ‘leaning towards’ a move to Man Utd over Liverpool and Arsenal.
This is not deterring Liverpool as Romano has indicated that Mount ‘remains a priority for the Reds’.
The transfer guru is also of the understanding that Liverpool are ‘advancing’ on the deal for Alexis Mac Allister, who is said to be rated at around £70m.
‘Liverpool are advancing on the Alexis Mac Allister deal, but the situation of Mason Mount also remains a priority for the Reds.
‘It looks difficult for Chelsea to extend Mount’s contract, even though Mauricio Pochettino would like to keep him.
‘One issue that makes the deal complicated is that Chelsea will insist on really important money to let him go, especially to another Premier League club.’
Romano added: ‘Chelsea still want more than £80m for Mason Mount. Manchester United also want him, and Arsenal could be there too.’
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Earlier this week, Chelsea interim boss Frank Lampard insisted that he is keen for Mount to remain at the club.
“It’s a hard one for me to comment on because I’m not inside Mason’s head and from the club’s point of view my role is clearly what it is,” Lampard told reporters.
“In the practical sense, it’s completely between both sides on that front. I’m not surprised because this is football. Does everyone know that I really like Mason Mount as a lad and as a football player? Yes, sure, of course, they do.
“I wish him the best personally and sitting here with my Chelsea top on now, I’ve seen what Mason has delivered at this club. But we’ll see.
“I think it’s important we try and keep that feeling that younger players can see a pathway to get into the Chelsea team and play for the team they will grow to love, which is Mason, which is Reece James etc.
“Of course, in an ideal world, those players stay with the club, but again in modern football, it isn’t always that clear.”
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