Liverpool closing in on two signings after giving up on Bellingham

Liverpool may be forced to look elsewhere for central midfield reinforcements after cooling their interest in Jude Bellingham due to his hefty asking price. The Reds are keen on acquiring the services of Chelsea’s Mason Mount and Wolves’ Matheus Nunes with both looking like real possibilities for the summer.

Recent reports from the Echo claim that Mount is now Liverpool’s top priority in the centre of the park. Chelsea are keen on keeping him but will be left with no choice apart from selling him if he continues to reject offers from the club’s hierarchy.

The 24-year-old has just over 12 months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge but agreeing upon an extension has proved to be a worrying struggle. The Blues have proposed a seven-year deal although Mount wants to be contracted for a shorter duration and is reportedly not happy with the money he is being offered.

While Bellingham’s £100m plus price tag has put Liverpool off from signing him, the proposition of a reduced rate for Mount as he enters the final year of his contract is very appealing with Jurgen Klopp said to be a big admirer.

Nunes is also being considered as a potential plan B for Bellingham despite Wolves removing a clause in his contract that would allow Liverpool to trigger a deal. The Telegraph reported that, when Nunez moved to Wolves in 2022, both teams agreed on a clause that would see the Reds commit to a £44m bid to sign him in the summer of 2023.

However, that clause has now been axed and Liverpool are expected to instead fork out a fee in excess of £50m. There are said to be a number of Premier League clubs interested in Nunes after his brilliant stint at Sporting Lisbon, but the 24-year-old hasn’t hit the ground running so far in England.

The Telegraph reports that Nunes is unlikely to join Liverpool in the summer while others suggest he is a dead cert. If Nunes or Mount can’t be brought in, then Moises Caicedo has also been linked to a move to Anfield.

This transfer seems less likely considering Brighton rejected bids of up to £70m for him in January and have since signed him to a fresh five-year contract with a huge pay rise. Another link that doesn’t look like it will materialise is Conor Gallagher. West Ham are said to be the frontrunners to secure his signature if he does end up leaving Chelsea.