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Liverpool’s board has «prepared and approved» a big contract for Chelsea and England midfielder Mason Mount, according to reports.
Liverpool are strongly linked to the midfielders ahead of this summer transfer window.
The club needs at least two additions in that area of the pitch with their current crop of aging or out of shape midfielders. Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will have to be replaced as both players are out of contract in the summer.
Jude Bellingham has been strongly linked with Liverpool in recent months. But his worth has skyrocketed in recent months between his form for Borussia Dortmund and England at the World Cup in Qatar.
The Reds subsequently dropped out of the race to sign Bellingham and will instead use their funds to recruit other players.
The Chelsea Mount midfielder is regarded as one of the players they are watching. He could be available this summer as his current contract expires in 2024.
Football Attaché report that «Liverpool’s board has approved Mount’s contract» and that «the box office deal is getting closer».
The «big development» comes as the Liverpool hierarchy have «prepared and approved» the contract for the England international.
Liverpool are in «pole position» to sign Mount, but are known to be «facing stiff competition from their Premier League rivals».
The report said Mount «would like to stay at his boyhood club» but a move to Liverpool «is of great interest» to him.
READ MORE: Mason Mount wants Liverpool move out of respect denied by Chelsea ‘plastic’, not money
A separate report from Ben Jacobs reveals Liverpool «believe» they can sign Mount for «less» than £70m.
«My understanding is that Liverpool are now quite confident on some other goals, and far enough ahead for this stage before the window opens, and this may also have explained why they have chosen to drop Bellingham now,» Jacobs wrote for Caught. Offside.
‘I fully expect Liverpool to conclude more deals at the start of the summer window. It’s easy to focus on the Bellingham backlash, and I’m sure many fans will be disappointed, but I would judge Liverpool after the first 2-3 weeks of the window rather than now.
‘There is a real possibility that Mason Mount will come from Chelsea. Mount are no closer to signing a Chelsea extension and Liverpool see a chance to sign him on a deal.
Chelsea will try again and their new manager could be a key factor, but right now Mount can be offered a more defined and integral role at Liverpool. And although Chelsea could bid for £70m, Liverpool believe the price will be less.’
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