Liverpool have been given fresh Mason Mount transfer hope after Chelsea's latest plan to try and persuade Atletico Madrid to green-light Joao Felix joining the Blues permanently came to light. The Blues signed Felix on loan until the end of the season from Atletico but are hopeful of agreeing a fee with the Spanish club in the summer.
Felix made his return to the Chelsea team in the 1-1 draw against West Ham after serving a three-match ban for a straight red card picked up against Fulham on his debut. Within minutes of his return against the Hammers, Felix showcased exactly what Chelsea had been looking for and later in the half he scored his first goal for the club, guiding home an Enzo Fernandez cross.
Four days later he made his Champions League bow for Chelsea and once again he impressed, unfortunately, this time though he was unable to get on the score sheet despite having two clear-cut opportunities.
READ MORE: Juventus star sends Todd Boehly transfer message as Chelsea prepare 'next John Terry' move
While Chelsea want to sign Felix permanently, Atletico have their attacking plans for the summer and have identified Borussia Monchengladbach star Marcus Thuram as a player they would like to sign, according to Marca. Their report also stated that for Thuram to join, a forward would likely have to go the opposite way, opening the door for Chelsea to sign Felix.
Getting the green light from Atletico is the easy part though, agreeing a substantial fee that allows Diego Simeone's side to recoup an amount close to the £111million paid for him in 2019, will seemingly be the challenge. As per Relevo journalist Matteo Moretto, a figure of €100million (£85million) could be sufficient.
After spending over £500million in the last six months, Todd Boehly and co. could instead look at other alternative and cheaper ways of signing Felix and a swap deal is seemingly the best option. According to Marca, that is now what is being put forward as Mason Mount has been offered to Atletico as part of a swap deal also involving Felix.
The report from Marca does state that there could be a large stumbling block in that deal given Mount's high wages which would likely see Atletico reluctant to match his demands. At this moment in time, the 24-year-old's salary request is not even being met by the Blues as contract talks continue to rumble on.
Mount has 18 months left on his deal and his contract saga has also alerted Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp a keen admirer. Significant arrivals in the front line has seen Mount's minutes dwindle this season and he has been named on the bench for the last two games.
Chelsea naming Mount as a possible part of a Felix deal which would see him leave Chelsea, subsequently handing hope to Liverpool they can sign him. Proposing a possible exit is of course different than sanctioning one but those in west London clearly, under the right terms and conditions, would allow Mount to leave and Liverpool could certainly meet those.
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