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Bobby Vincent

Behind the scenes at Chelsea on Mason Mount transfer, Moises Caicedo issue, Declan Rice chance

dylanmcb asked: "What is the likelihood of Mason Mount joining United or any other club right now? Is there still a chance he stays at Chelsea?"

Bobby replied: "If I'm honest, it looks like Mount will leave Chelsea right now. There's so much baggage between him and the club at the moment with the contract negotiations and the way they have gone (see my previous article on the inside story of how they've unfolded).

"Manchester United are the clear front-runners right now. Liverpool and Arsenal are very interested, too, although it is unlikely he'd ever go to the latter because of their fierce rivalry with Chelsea. It is definitely a possibility, yes. If I had to rate the chances (right now) I'd go 75% Mount leaving and 25% staying. The only chance he stays is if Chelsea price him out of a move."

bw23 asked: "What's the situation on Havertz? Is it off like reports are saying?"

Bobby replied: "Hi Ben. Thanks for your question. The reports coming out of Spain confused me a little bit. I'm told Havertz is very much still wanted by Real Madrid. Nothing is advanced as of yet, but Chelsea are open to selling him at the right price and the player, by all accounts, would be open to leaving.

"Unfortunately, I do not know the price Chelsea want just yet but I will try and do some digging. But as I say, nothing advanced, but there is concrete interest from Madrid."

READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino must avoud Thomas Tuchel Chelsea error as £236m transfer plan revealed

samhill asked: "Hi Bobby, just wanted to know if there was any update regarding Conor Gallagher's future at the club? Are Liverpool still interested in signing him? Feel like he could improve a lot under Pochettino, thanks."

Bobby replied: "Hi Sam. Thanks for your question. I'm actually hoping to get an update on Gallagher at some point today, but the last we heard was that Liverpool did have an interest. But now they have almost signed Alexis Mac Allister, it's unclear whether that interest still exists. They are still after Mason Mount but by all accounts it looks like Manchester United are the front-runners.

"Myself and Scott Trotter spoke about Gallagher potentially playing under Pochettino in our latest podcast episode and we both felt he could definitely have a role in the squad next season. However, it may not be the role that is best for him on a personal note."

oreoluwaa1 asked: "What's the latest on Caicedo?"

Bobby replied: "Hi Oreoluwaa1. Thanks for your question. Unfortunately not too much new information to report, but I'll give you a recap of what we know thus far.

"Chelsea are very interested in Caicedo and that was the case even when the club were after Ugarte. We were told over the weekend that Chelsea will push to sign Caicedo this summer and missing out on Ugarte will surely only intensify that. Brighton, though, as we know, are notoriously tough negotiators and we've been told they will want north of £80million for his signature.

"What makes this deal even more complicated, too, is that Arsenal have a firm interest in him. Both clubs have held talks with the midfielder and his representatives over recent weeks. It's definitely one to keep an eye out for."

seongmin asked: "Is Chelsea currently not interested in Declan Rice at all? Or Chelsea's interest remains, but I wonder if it's not a priority or if it's completely off the target list, and if there's still any interest left, I wonder if Chelsea are willing to bid..."

Bobby replied: "Hi Seongmin. Thanks for the question.

"Chelsea have always had an interest in Rice, yes. I'm not led to believe that's changed or anything but right now the signing looks very difficult. Arsenal have done more groundwork than Chelsea and the player himself has always made it clear that his next move would be to a team in the Champions League. Obviously Arsenal have that over Chelsea right now, so it looks more likely he'd go there. Nothing advanced yet, though, and I certainly wouldn't rule anything out completely."

seongmin followed up with: "Thank you for your answer, I want to ask you more. It may be a difficult question to answer, but can Chelsea really be determined and bid Rice? And Chelsea said they were interested in Rice, so it's true that Rice is likely to go to Arsenal at the moment, but is there any way they can come to Chelsea?"

Bobby replied: "Yes of course they could. I can only go off what I know and right now, that doesn't look like it will be the case. But you know as well as I do – especially with Chelsea – nothing is set in stone, so maybe later in the summer we could see that interest reignite once more.

"But as I say, Arsenal are the favourites. They've done the most groundwork. They have Champions League football. It's going to be difficult for Chelsea and Rice. Moises Caicedo looks like Chelsea's main target at the moment.

Have your say on Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino, what to expect from next season and much more in our big forum below...

READ NEXT:

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Chelsea await Mason Mount transfer action from Manchester United as Moises Caicedo reality appears

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