Chelsea have been handed a huge boost in the race to sign Jude Bellingham, with Liverpool reportedly considering 'cheaper alternatives'. The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with an exit from Borussia Dortmund for a while now as he continues to impress for club and country.
Bellingham, who sees his contract at the Signal Iduna Park expire in 2025, has been subject to long-term interest from the Blues, football.london understands. The west Londoners watched the midfielder during his time as an academy player at Birmingham City but, after failing to act on their interest, the German outfit swooped in and signed him instead.
Ever since, the England international has continued to attract interest from some of the biggest clubs around Europe, including Chelsea and Liverpool. However, with a bidding war on the cards, Jurgen Klopp's side have already identified a 'cheaper alternative' who happens to play for the Blues.
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According to British agent Haydn Dodge, the Reds are circling Mason Mount's contract saga at Stamford Bridge. The Telegraph have reported that the midfielder and Chelsea have been working hard to extend his future at the club since November.
But, there has been 'no breakthrough' and some officials at the club are 'resigned' to the Cobham graduate not wanting to pen a new deal. Mount has entered the final 18 months of his contract in west London and will be available on a free transfer in June 2024.
Speaking to CaughtOffside, Dodge said: "He’s been at Chelsea since he was a young lad but he’ll be looking at the Blues' project and wondering if he's going to be a guaranteed starter. His camp will be aware that he's an England International too, and therefore be trying to maximise his next contract, so it'll be interesting to see what the outcome is.
"I know Liverpool quite like him and I personally believe he’d be perfect for Jurgen Klopp and his system. You’d also assume Mount would be a cheaper alternative option to Jude Bellingham, so they may well be keeping very close tabs on his situation to see how it develops."
So, if Todd Boehly was to win the race for Bellingham's signature, Liverpool could then set their sights on Mount and therefore solve the Blues' contract saga in return.
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