Journalist and transfer insider Dean Jones believes Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount would ideally remain with the Blues amongst speculation over a possible summer move to Liverpool.
Mount is yet to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge with his current deal expiring in the summer of 2024.
However, the transfer insider believes the Englishman is unlikely to make the switch to Anfield.
Liverpool transfer news – Mason Mount
He has won the player of the season award in the last two seasons and played a crucial role in the West London outfit winning the 2021 Champions League.
However, Mount has seen his game time and influence limited this campaign, starting just 20 out of Chelsea’s 30 league matches.
With talks over a contract renewal reportedly stalling over proposed wages, Liverpool have been heavily linked with a summer swoop for the 24-year-old.
This interest has been exacerbated by the Reds pulling out of the race to sign long-term midfield transfer target Jude Bellingham, but Jones believes finalising a move for Mount is unlikely.
What has Dean Jones said about Mount to Liverpool?
Speaking in an interview with This is Futbol, Jones stated his belief that there are a number of reasons why Mount making the switch to Merseyside is improbable.
On Liverpool’s interest in Mount, Jones said:
“I don’t think it’s fair to call it a move like that likely, no. I think it’s an option, but there are many factors, also to say why it won’t happen.
“First things first, Mason Mount would ideally stay with Chelsea.
“Secondly, Liverpool would have to front more money than he’s on now as well. So there’s a similar situation to the one he’s in Chelsea, because Liverpool don’t typically pay extortionate amounts of money.
“And thirdly, they have to be convinced that he’s going to play a role in that team that’s actually going to get the best out of him because that’s also been a problem for him under Graham Potter at Chelsea that they haven’t used him effectively.”
Why is Mount a target for Liverpool?
As mentioned, Liverpool will be targeting midfield arrivals in the summer, with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both out of contract at the end of the season.
At just 24, Mount – who is currently valued at £65m by FootballTransfers – would represent the future of Liverpool’s midfield for many years and being ‘versatile and intelligent‘ ,as well as possessing a strong ability to press, would indicate he would fit well into a Jurgen Klopp side.
As Jones states however, much will hinge on whether a compromise can be found in contract talks between Chelsea and the £76k-per-week man and whether Liverpool are willing to stump up the money that may cause him to turn his back on the club he joined as a six-year-old.