Despite strong interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, Mason Mount is edging closer to joining Manchester United in a blockbuster summer switch.
The 24-year-old Chelsea academy graduate is set to be sold by his boyhood club in the upcoming transfer window after months of talks over a new contract failed to come to fruition - much to the disappointment of Mauricio Pochettino, who was appointed as the Blues' new head coach earlier this week.
Liverpool were initially touted as the frontrunner for Mount's signature when speculation over his future ramped up last month, but the England star now appears to be on the cusp of a move to Old Trafford after 'agreeing personal terms' with the Reds' Premier League rivals.
The onus is now on Manchester United to agree on a fee with Chelsea to enable a deal to progress. And if the Red Devils can thrash out terms over the coming days, then Jurgen Klopp could be forced into a major rethink of his summer transfer plans.
A report from The Telegraph earlier this week outlined that Klopp had identified Mount and Brighton maestro Alexis Mac Allister as the two key components of his summer rebuild - and that missing out on a deal for Mount would be a 'serious blow' for the Reds.
With Klopp intent on overhauling his beleaguered engine room, the German will be forced back to the drawing board if Mount proves to be unobtainable in the wake of his agreement with Manchester United.
Liverpool are in pole position to sign Mac Allister, whose Brighton exit is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks, but it has been claimed that Klopp is still in the market for at least one other central midfielder.
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Mirror Football revealed last month that the Reds had agreed contract terms with Bayern Munich maestro Ryan Gravenberch, while reports this week have outlined that Liverpool also hold an interest in OGC Nice starlet Khephren Thuram.
Speaking after Liverpool's enthralling season finale against Southampton on Sunday, Klopp made it clear that he expects to be backed by owners Fenway Sports Group in the transfer market.
"Of course we will be busy - for me more on the phone than anything else," Klopp told Sky Sports. "That's kind of work as well but that will be fine, I'm happy to do that, and we will see."
It remains to be seen how much Klopp will be given to spend this summer after Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League. A handful of players, including Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner have already confirmed that they will be leaving Anfield as free agents.
