Liverpool can’t waste time as new ‘frontrunners’ emerge in Mason Mount transfer blow

It’s no secret that Liverpool is in the market for more midfield options this summer. James Milner, Naby Keïta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all leaving the club in positions that were already depleted.

The Reds have relied on the impressive form of youngsters Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott for much of the season. First-team regulars Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have played an important role, but the duo has drawn criticism after some inconsistent performances.

Eighteen-year-old Stefan Bajčetić is another who had featured regularly and is a promising future star. A season-ending injury however meant that his progress was hampered just as he was finding his feet in the team.

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Jürgen Klopp will be desperate to add strength in depth to his midfield, and that’s why the news of a contract stand-off between Mason Mount and Chelsea has piqued the club’s interest. Mount’s contract is due to expire in 2024, meaning the Blues either need to cash in or let him leave on a free next season.

Mount is a player that would have no trouble fitting into a Klopp team. He has fantastic dribbling ability, an eye for goal and suits a pressing style.

It’s no surprise that, according to football.london, Liverpool is ‘seriously interested’ in the 24-year-old. However, the Reds aren’t the only club that is vying for the midfielder’s signature.

Manchester United and Arsenal are keen on Mount, as per the report, with the Red Devils becoming the latest ‘front-runners’ for his signature. Liverpool is not out of the race completely and has been reported as ‘doing more groundwork’ than Erik ten Hag’s side to sign the midfielder.

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Football.london goes on to add that new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino ‘demanded’ that Mount stay. The England star’s agent, Neil Fewings, has even been brought in to work on a new contract, but to no avail.

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea is waiting for Pochettino to come in before making a start on contract negotiations, or if Mount has had enough of waiting around. Either way, Liverpool would be wise to pay close attention, especially if rivals Manchester United are involved.

Liverpool.com says: Mason Mount has quality in abundance and would be a real marquee signing for Liverpool. Manchester United may be leading the race but you can never count Liverpool out.

The longer Mount’s contract saga rolls on, the more frustrated you can imagine the player would get. Klopp and newly appointed sporting director Jörg Schmadkte will undoubtedly be paying close attention as the transfer window starts to open.

It’s clear that earlier in the season Mount and Chelsea were keen to agree a new deal which provides a slight stumbling block, but Mount seems to have been left in the dark since then. Liverpool would therefore be the perfect fit and should waste no time in beating its rivals to sign such an impressive talent.

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Khéphren Thuram should lead Liverpool to’Moneyball’gem perfect for FSG transfer blueprint

The summer transfer market is already starting to heat up on Merseyside, with Liverpool tipped for moves for a whole host of players from across Europe. It remains to be seen who Jürgen Klopp will target in the coming weeks, but a new name has emerged in the last few days.

According to French publication L’Equipe — via Sport Witness — the Reds are ‘eager’ to sign Khéphren Thuram, who is currently contracted to OGC Nice. The 22-year-old midfielder has experienced an encouraging campaign in his homeland, and he now appears to have a place on Liverpool’s shortlist.

Klopp is desperate for new midfielders at Anfield, especially considering James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keïta will all leave the club this summer. Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount and Ryan Gravenberch are also linked with Liverpool, but Thuram is the latest name to pop up.

READ MORE: Liverpool can’t waste time as new ‘frontrunners’ emerge in Mason Mount transfer blow

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The Italian-born talent has gradually established himself as a physical and promising pillar in the French Riviera. He stands around 1.91m (6ft 3in) tall, and he’s also a keen dribbler and ball carrier from the middle of the park, starting 30 matches from a possible 37 in Ligue 1 this term.

Supporters on Merseyside seem excited by the news linking Liverpool with Thuram, but he could act as little more than a smokescreen of sorts. If the Reds have been tracking the French top flight this season — as the links with Thuram would suggest — then another midfielder could have secured a spot on Klopp’s radar.

An intriguing player by the name of Enzo Le Fée has lit up Ligue 1 just as much — if not more than Thuram — over the past 12 months. He has been deployed in the middle of the field for Lorient, starting 34 matches and painting himself as a real ‘Moneyball’ gem.

Le Fée is perhaps the type of player who is inclined to drift under the radar in the scouting world, but after applying numbers to his performances, it becomes apparent just how much he is doing on the pitch. The 23-year-old looks like a very busy player in the data, and one who could be undervalued.

Enzo Le Fée has impressed in Ligue 1

(Image: Getty Images)

Fenway Sports Group first delivered success for the Boston Red Sox using evidence-based methods. The American consortium also transformed Liverpool through the application of data to gain an edge, with Le Fée looking like the type of rough diamond who could be showing up to Klopp’s recruitment team behind the scenes.

He offers a lot of value on the ball, but also does his fair share on the defensive side of the game. This season, Le Fée ranks top of the division for successful dribbles by midfielders — having completed just four fewer than superstar Kylian Mbappé — and he also places ninth among midfielders for progressive passes, and sixth for tackles and interceptions.

The Frenchman is slight in frame, standing just 1.7m (5ft 7in) tall unlike Thuram, but his size doesn’t seem to impact his effectiveness on the field. He has a contract that is due to expire in two years which could make him attainable this summer, and his wage demands are likely to be low considering he earns very little relative to Premier League terms right now.

Bournemouth attempted to acquire his services during the winter transfer window, but Le Fée denied the opportunity in favor of something bigger. “I know that these last few months are also very important if I want to go to a big club. I am someone who likes challenges, risks too. I want to show that I am capable of evolving at the highest level,” he said via L’Equipe earlier this season.

There is a question mark attached to just how big of a move he could get this summer, but based on his output this term, he seems to be worth monitoring at the very least. With Thuram appearing on Liverpool’s agenda, Le Fée could be next.