Liverpool have made signing Chelsea star Mason Mount a ‘priority’ after ending their pursuit of Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.
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The 19-year-old had been a key target for Jurgen Klopp and the Reds have put in significant groundwork over the last 12 months to sign Bellingham.
However, with Liverpool outsiders to finish in the top four, the club have now cooled their interest in the teenager as a £130m package to sign Bellingham is now out of reach.
While the Reds’ domestic season has naturally made them outsiders for Bellingham, their need for at least two midfielders has also played a part in their decision.
Signing Bellingham would use most of Liverpool’s budget but Klopp requires more than one midfielder this summer.
The Reds will therefore target cheaper options and the Liverpool Echo say Mount is now the club’s priority target.
The England international has rejected two contract proposals from Chelsea, who are now resigned to the academy product leaving the club.
Mount has lost his starting spot at Stamford Bridge in recent months and Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of the midfielder.
Mount is valued at around £70m by Chelsea, which would be around half of what an overall package to sign Bellingham would cost.
Mount, for his part, is keen on a move to Anfield.
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