Liverpool have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, with his contract talks having broken down, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Liverpool target Mount

The Premier League playmaker has entered the final 18 months of his contract at Stamford Bridge, where his future has been up in the air having rejected fresh terms before leaving for the World Cup.

The England international was then linked with a move to Merseyside, with The Guardian claiming the Reds are 'putting plans in place' and there is a 'growing prospect' of a serious attempt in the summer.

Todd Boehly has reportedly made it his priority to secure his academy product’s long-term services, with the Blues since resuming negotiations with the 24-year-old upon the conclusion of the January window, though it sounds like his potential suitors may have been offered a lifeline.

The Latest: Contract talks stall

According to the Daily Mail, Mount’s future at Chelsea is ‘in doubt’ after his latest round of contract talks were ‘halted’.

The Portsmouth-born talent has ‘rejected’ yet another offer after feeling it left him ‘below’ what other senior members of the squad are earning.

The midfielder is looking to ‘treble’ his current £80k-per-week deal and the club are tabling ‘significantly less’, leaving the two parties a ‘long way apart’ from reaching an agreement.

The Verdict: Worth a try?

Mount has been described as an ‘all-round’ midfielder by talent scout Jacek Kulig and he could be the central signing that Liverpool have been so desperately craving.

The Nike-sponsored player has clocked up 70 goal contributions in 188 senior appearances for Chelsea and currently ranks in the 94th percentile for most progressive passes per game, implying he could inject some real quality end product into Jurgen Klopp's midfield ranks.

Mount would also provide the German with serious versatility having operated in five different positions this season, and is at the perfect age to fit the long-term vision of the club.