Alex Crook has shared more positive noises coming out of Liverpool over their reported attempt to sign Mason Mount.
The Lowdown: Midfield to be improved
A lot has been reported about how Liverpool are very keen and perhaps favourites to sign Jude Bellingham this summer, but with him having no release clause in his deal, the price could be eye-watering.
Therefore, Mount has suddenly emerged as a more realistic target given his contractual situation at Chelsea, likely because of the mess engulfing Stamford Bridge and a lack of willingness to increase his wages.
Mount has become a mainstay in both the Premier League and England set-up, so it's no surprise that Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp are keen to bring him to try and help their rebuild in midfield.
The Latest: Liverpool confident of signing Mount
Crook has claimed on TalkSPORT that Liverpool are growing increasingly confident that they could sign Mount this summer, as long as he keeps putting off a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
He said: "This one really seems to be building a fair amount of momentum, we know that Mason Mount's contract is up at the end of next season and so far negotiations have hit a bit of a standstill.
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"I think one of the issues is that Mason Mount wants parity with some of Chelsea's top earners at the moment and hasn't been able to reach an agreement.
"And there are confident noises coming out of Anfield, we know that Jurgen Klopp has said publicly that his team needs an overhaul this summer, particularly I would suggest, in midfield and Jurgen Klopp believes Mason Mount could be a decent addition to his armoury."
The Verdict: Mount would be a smart signing
Given that Mount's contract is set to expire come to the end of next season he would surely be available for a whole lot less money than someone such as Bellingham and would also be Premier League proven.
Therefore, if Liverpool can temp Mount to leave his boyhood club and also join a top-four and title rival, then it would surely be seen as a no-brainer for FSG and Klopp to push on and explore as he's been labelled as a 'leader' by former Chelsea star Joe Cole.
If Mount was to enter into the final 12 months of his contract then there would surely be a huge line of suitors looking to snap him up on a potentially cut-price deal, so Liverpool would need to act quickly and aggressively.