Liverpool links to Mason Mount could be used as leverage to secure a better contract at Chelsea – even if the Reds have a genuine interest.
That’s according to The Athletic’s James Pearce (21/02, 7:04pm) who claims that Liverpool are ‘certainly closely monitoring Mount’s situation’ at Chelsea.
However, Pearce notes that a few people around the game think the links to Liverpool are being used as leverage to secure a better deal for Moint at Chelsea.
Mount is out of contract in 2024 and the Daily Mail claim he wants to treble his wages – up from £80,000-a-week to around £240,000-a-week.
There have been noises that Mount wants to leave Chelsea because he no longer feels like a key part of Chelsea’s project under Todd Boehly.
With Christopher Nkunku heading to Chelsea this summer, Mount may feel that he can play a bigger role elsewhere – such as Liverpool.
Liverpool will be wary of Mason Mount situation at Chelsea
This comes after reports from 90Min that Mount would actually prefer to stay at Chelsea than join Liverpool.
It feels like whilst the role in the project is something on Mount’s mind, he would still be keen to stay at Stamford Bridge if they meet his demands.
That would play into the idea that Liverpool’s interest – even if they do like him – is being hyped up to try and force Chelsea’s hand.
Chelsea won’t want to lose a homegrown player in Mount and certainly won’t like the idea of selling him to a rival in Liverpool.
The more those rumours ramp up, the more likely it is that Chelsea will feel they need to meet Mount’s demands and keep him away from the Reds.
This summer will be the crucial point for Chelsea and Mount; if terms can’t be agreed then it would be wise to sell and bring in cash before Mount leaves for nothing in 2024.
Liverpool will be watching the situation closely but will naturally be very wary of being used as leverage when other midfield targets could be more realistic signings.
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