Chelsea have reportedly set their asking price for Mason Mount ahead of the summer amid interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.
According to transfer guru Pete O’Rourke, via his exclusive Football Insider column, Liverpool and Manchester United will have to fork out a staggering £60-70 million if they want to acquire the services of Chelsea contract rebel Mason Mount, who has now given the strongest indication so far that he may leave Stamford Bridge in the summer.
The well-known journalist adds that Mount’s father, who works as his agent, has told an agency to investigate any potential outside interest in the playmaker, which comes as music to the ears of suitors Liverpool and Manchester United.
Mount finds himself at a career crossroads at the moment. He is out of contract at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2024, and given Chelsea’s recent heavy spending, his importance at Stamford Bridge is declining, especially with a summer deal to sign RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku already in the pipeline.
Chelsea have so far failed to tempt Mount into signing a new contract. Graham Potter’s side does not want to lose the midfielder for free, so they may be forced to sell the Blues academy product once the season ends if he does not commit his future to the club before then.
This has understandably alerted Chelsea’s rivals. Liverpool have been linked with Mount in recent months, with Jurgen Klopp understood to be a big admirer of the England international. Manchester United have also added the 24-year-old to their list of potential summer targets, as per recent reports.
It is well documented that Liverpool’s top target for their midfield makeover in the summer is Borussia Dortmund star, Jude Bellingham, with the 19-year-old potentially costing over £100 million. However, given their inconsistent form, much could hinge on the Reds’ Champions League status and other competition in the off-season. A lack of Champions League could work against Klopp’s side.
A deal for Mount will be viewed as an opportunity for Klopp to sign a player who would fit in nicely with the Liverpool side. With several midfielders poised to leave in the summer, including Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and James Milner as things stand, a move for Mount makes a whole lot of sense for a reasonable price. It remains to be seen if Liverpool can fit the £60-70 million transfer fee into their summer budget.
As for Manchester United, the lack of depth in midfield has become ever-so apparent lately. With Scott McTominay linked with a move away from the club, Marcel Sabitzer only on loan, Casemiro, and Christian Eriksen into their thirties, United will need to address this issue going forward. And signing a player of Mount’s pedigree would plug many of the aforementioned squad holes.
While he has endured a dip in form this season, Mount has been an ever-present in Chelsea’s side in recent years and had a career-best season last year with 12 goals and 16 assists in all competitions. It is set to be a make-or-break summer for Mount’s future. Only time will tell if he will extend his current deal beyond June 2024 or depart Chelsea for a new chapter.