Search icon

Football

12th Apr 2023

Liverpool plan move for Mason Mount after missing out on Jude Bellingham

Robert Redmond

Liverpool have pulled out of the race to sign Bellingham.

Liverpool are interested in signing Mason Mount after giving up on Jude Bellingham, according to reports.

The Reds have been linked with a summer move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Bellingham. They have, however, conceded defeat in the race, with the player likely to cost over £100m.

Jurgen Klopp’s team will reportedly instead focus on rebuilding their midfield at the end of the season.

Liverpool chasing Mount after giving up on Bellingham.

Liverpool will turn their attention to Mount, reports Football.London.

The Chelsea midfielder may be available for a cut-price transfer fee in the summer, as he is set to enter the last year of his contract.

The England international, 24, has yet to agree on a new deal with the Blues.

Mount is reportedly looking to be among the top earners at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea’s owners have, so far, not offered him a deal to reflect this.

The midfielder has played 192 times for Chelsea and scored 33 goals.

Liverpool admit defeat in Bellingham race.

Liverpool’s reported interest in Mount comes after several media outlets reported that the club have pulled out of the race to sign Bellingham.

The Reds have given up hope of landing the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, a long-term transfer target, as they are said to be prioritising rebuilding their midfield.

Liverpool reportedly feel that signing Bellingham, who could cost over £100m in a transfer fee alone, would prevent them from making multiple signings as they seek to overhaul their squad.

The England star, however, is also said to be wanted by Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.

So, Liverpool may have missed out on the 19-year-old in any case, especially as they currently look unlikely to qualify for the Champions League.

Liverpool’s midfield targets and why Mount move makes sense.

Liverpool fans will be disappointed to miss out on Bellingham, and may not be excited by the Mount links. Yet, a move for the Chelsea midfielder could work out well.

The Reds need to rebuild their midfield. Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are set to leave at the end of the season on free transfers when their contracts expire.

Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Thiago are all over 30 and Fabinho turns 30 in October.

Meanwhile, Klopp’s other midfield options – Harvey Elliott (20), Curtis Jones (22) and Fabinho Carvalho (20) – are either inexperienced or unproven.

Liverpool signed Arthur Melo from Juventus on loan last September, but the Brazilian midfielder has only made one appearance for the club amid injury issues.

Within this context, the move for Mount makes sense and could help revitalise a problem position for Liverpool.

The England midfielder isn’t as eye-catching as Bellingham, but he is a proven Premier League player who fits into Klopp’s pressing style of play.

 

Related links.

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10