Newcastle United are in the race to sign Mason Mount from Chelsea, but it appears that the Magpies are not at the front of the pack.
Mount could be set for a move away from Chelsea this summer, with his Blues contract due to expire in 2024. If a new deal cannot be agreed, it looks like he will be sold by Todd Boehly.
That is music to the ears of Newcastle, who are set to be in the market for a midfielder – and they could be looking for a blockbuster signing if they qualify for the Champions League.
Eddie Howe’s side have been linked with a move for Mount this summer, but face stiff competition from the Premier League’s elite. And a new report from the Athletic suggests that it is Liverpool who are currently best placed to sign the 24-year-old.
Liverpool are currently the favourites to sign Mason Mount
According to the Athletic, Newcastle have been monitoring Mount’s situation at Stamford Bridge, but it is Liverpool who are in the strongest position right now to complete a deal.
The report adds that Jurgen Klopp’s side have already considered what kind of terms they would offer Mount in a bid to convince him to move to Anfield.
Given their need for a midfield revamp, it is no surprise that Liverpool are looking at Mount. The Athletic describe their interest as ‘serious’, but he won’t come cheap.
How much Chelsea want for Mount
The price tag for Mount appears to vary. It was recently claimed that he could be available for around £50million. That would make him Newcastle’s second most expensive signing ever behind Alexander Isak.
However, the Athletic have suggested that he might cost even more. They state that Chelsea want as much as £70million, despite the fact he will be going into the final year of his contract.
That fee is excessive, and will surely rule Newcastle out – even if we are merely watching from afar.
Newcastle poised to miss out
It feels incredibly unlikely that Mount will be on his way to Newcastle this summer. Liverpool are leading the race, and will likely be more willing to offer the wages that the midfielder is looking for.
That is a shame, as Mount is a sensational player who could really thrive under Eddie Howe at St James’ Park. He was tipped to become ‘world class‘ by Jody Morris, and he can certainly do that if he gets a fresh start this summer – particularly under a coach like Howe.
He would add something different to our midfield, and could provide the goals and assists we are looking for. That is why James Maddison is being so heavily pursued.
Mount would have been an exciting alternative, but it looks like this is a transfer pursuit that is destined to fail.
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