Former Liverpool star Glen Johnson has explained why he thinks Chelsea could be forced into selling Mason Mount this summer.
The Reds are one of a host of clubs who have been linked with a move for the England international. Manchester City, Newcastle United and Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in the midfielder.
Mount’s contract is not set to run out until 2024, but there are doubts over whether he will sign an extension. Chelsea are said to be keen on handing the 24-year-old a new deal, but as things stand Mount will enter the final 12 months of his contract this summer.
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Jude Bellingham is the midfielder who has been the most heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in recent months. But it’s possible that the Reds will have other targets on their list, and it remains to be seen if Mount is one of them.
Johnson, who played for both Liverpool and Chelsea in his career, has spoken about Mount’s future. The former Reds full-back says that the Londoners may well be forced into letting their academy graduate go this summer if things don’t get resolved quickly.
“The clock is ticking and Chelsea need to be bold regarding the business side of it,” Johnson told Betfred. “This whole situation regarding Mason being linked with a couple of Premier League clubs seems like a bit of a bluff tactic to me.
“The longer it goes without Mason signing a new deal, then Mason’s position will continue to get stronger and the club knows that.
“So I think Chelsea wouldn’t want to sell him to a Premier League side, but if it gets to the end of the summer transfer window and he’s still not signed a new deal, then they will have to sell him to a rival Premier League club because they can’t risk the prospect of letting him go on a free.”
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