By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

13th Mar, 2023 | 9:20am

Sources: Liverpool in pole position to sign Mason Mount as Chelsea talks collapse

Chelsea will sell Mason Mount in the summer if a new contract not agreed by then with Liverpool leading the race, sources have told Football Insider.

The Londoners are locked in a deadlock with Mount over the salary in any new potential deal as they try to reduce the wage bill at Stamford Bridge.

Mount, 24, has spent his whole career at Chelsea and wants to be paid in line with the likes of Reece James, who takes home £250,000-a-week before bonuses.

Chelsea have offered Mount £180,000-a-week and are reluctant to go higher, which has led negotiations to collapses and Mount and his camp to assess other opportunities available to him.

Liverpool are keen to take him off Chelsea’s hands and believe they could strike a deal worth £50million for him after discussions via third parties.

It is also understood that Mount would be keen to play for Klopp as part of what will be a rebuilt midfield at the Merseyside giants next season.

Man United are also keeping tabs on Mount with his homegrown status and versatility immensely attractive to Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff ahead of an expected Champions League return next term.

Both Chelsea and the player nevertheless want to find an agreement over a new deal. Mount has been at Chelsea since he was seven and still adores the club despite the talks stalemate.

The midfielder is only eight appearances shy of joining the 200 club at the Blues but could see himself miss that mark after being left out recently due to the contract issues.

In other news, Boehly is “huge admirer” of the player who is Chelsea No1 priority summer signing.