For most of the second half of last season, it looked like Mason Mount could well be part of Liverpool’s long-awaited midfield revamp.
The Reds were repeatedly credited with interest in the England international, and even said to be leading the chase for his signature at one point according to London-based reports. However, it later emerged that, having already withdrawn from the race to sign Jude Bellingham, they had also cooled interest in the Chelsea star.
With a year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, the England international was stuck in an impasse regarding a new deal and had rejected a number of offers from the Londoners. But Liverpool’s fresh stance, partly a result of Chelsea’s exorbitant price tag for a player with a year left on his contract, did not mean a resolution with his club would belatedly be reached.
Incoming Chelsea manager Maurico Pochettino was said to be very keen to retain the 24-year-old’s services. Reports even suggested he had made such a fact abundantly clear in his interview for the job, and repeatedly made efforts to attempt to persuade Mount to stay put at Stamford Bridge following his appointment.
READ MORE: Thiago Alcantara holds talks with 'next club' as Liverpool 'close in' on £50m signing
READ MORE: Darwin Nunez squad number 'hint' as Liverpool report back for pre-season training
However, the midfielder was not for turning. Hungry to play in the Champions League once again, he had his heart set on a move to Manchester United, with the Red Devils eventually agreeing a deal worth up to £60m.
Despite Pochettino wanting him to stay put, it was Chelsea’s overall handling of his future that made up the midfielder’s mind to leave.
“Several months ago I think it became clear that I wasn’t in Chelsea’s plans moving forward,” he told MUTV in his first interview after leaving the club. “And once I knew that United were involved, my decision was made.”
While Pochettino failed to persuade Mount to stay at Chelsea, the Argentine will be hoping he has better luck with defender Levi Colwill.
The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion, is of interest to Liverpool, as the ECHO first reported in March, with a left-sided centre-back on the Reds’ transfer wishlist this summer. Meanwhile, football.london has claimed that the Reds have made 'multiple enquiries' over Colwill's availability, while the Seagulls are believed to have had bids of up to £40m rejected.
As was the case with Mount, Pochettino is believed to want keep Colwill at the club, with Chelsea wanting the centre-back to be part of their long-term future. He has two years left on his initial contract, while the Londoners can extend his deal by a further year if certain playing criteria are met.
They are keen to tie him down to a long-term contract, while talks will be held with his new manager later this month when he reports back for pre-season training, having shone for England Under-21s as they won the European Championships on Saturday evening. But with interested clubs, including Liverpool, circling, his future remains uncertain.
"We spoke yesterday [Thursday] with Levi," Pochettino explained in his first press conference since being appointed Chelsea head coach earlier this week. "Of course Levi I didn't know but I introduced myself with him.
"I wished them (Colwill and Noni Madueke) all the best tomorrow [for the Euros Under-21s final]. It's true that, for me, it's difficult because it's Spain against England. I wish them all the best. We're waiting for them to be with the team, I think the day we will fly to America, they will join us."
After winning the Under-21s European Championships, Madueke would insist on an Instagram Live with the defender that he would "make sure he comes back," but the Liverpool target's awkward expression and attempt to escape his team-mate's grasp perhaps hinted at a different desired outcome.
Meanwhile, Pochettino also said of Colwill: “He is a Chelsea player and in the last few months (on loan) at Brighton he was playing really well.
“He is one of our players and I need to talk with him when he arrives next week. I need to get a feel for him. I need to hear what he has in his mind, what he expects. And then, of course, for him to listen to what I expect from him.”
It remains to be seen if such talks will help resolve Colwill’s future or only prompt further speculation regarding a possible exit.
The Londoners have an inflated squad, after all, having spent roughly £650m on 26 new players since Todd Bohely took over as owner last summer. While the exits of Mount, Kai Havertz, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy have helped ease FFP fears, with Christian Pulisic set to follow, they still have a number of senior players they will look to move on. Whether Colwill will join that ‘available for transfer’ list, only time will tell.
Either way, Liverpool will continue to monitor his situation. And while no move is forthcoming at this time, as Mount’s own saga proves, just because Chelsea want to keep a player, it doesn’t mean they will actually stay put.
