Transfer notebook: Liverpool confident of signing Chelsea star Mason Mount, Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United back on, Southampton losing key man

Liverpool are increasingly confident of stealing Mason Mount away from Chelsea, talkSPORT understands.

Mount is out of contract at the end of next season and negotiations over a new deal have hit a standstillwith the 24-year-old seeking parity with Chelsea’s top earners.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp knows his side are in need of a major overhaul, particularly in midfield, and believes Mount would be the ideal addition.

Some sources close to Mount have even suggested a switch to Anfield as being highly likely.

Selling academy product Mount, especially to a big-six rival, would go down badly with the Stamford Bridge faithful.

Man United back in for De Jong

Frenkie de Jong is firmly back on Erik Ten Hag’s radar as he looks to build on his Manchester United revolution.

Ten Hag was desperate to sign De Jong last summer but the Dutch international was reluctant to leave Barcelona because of a dispute over unpaid wages.

talkSPORT has been told the United boss has made his former Ajax starlet one of United’s top summer targets.

Ten Hag hopes sampling the Old Trafford feel-good factor as United beat Barcelona in the Europa League play-off last week will help persuade De Jong to make the switch.

The prospect of partnering Casemiro in United’s midfield is also said to be an attractive proposition for the 25-year-old, particularly with the Red Devils on course for Champions League qualification.

Ward-Prowse exit fears

Southampton are bracing themselves for the departure of James Ward-Prowse if they fail to pull off a miracle relegation escape.

Ward-Prowse is Saints’ longest-serving player having joined as a schoolboy and is set to surpass Jason Dodd as the club’s record Premier League appearance holder against Leicester this weekend.

The England international does NOT have a release clause in his contract but Saints are unlikely to stand in his way if they are relegated as acknowledgement for his loyalty.

West Ham and Tottenham are among the clubs who have admired Ward-Prowse in recent transfer windows.

Peterborough legal advice

Peterborough are taking legal advice over Reading’s pending points deduction.

The Royals are being investigated by the EFL over suspicions they have failed to comply with a strict spending plan set by the league.

If found guilty they will be deducted the six points suspended until the end of this season when they were hit with an initial points penalty for breaching financial rules during the 2021/22 campaign.

Peterborough were relegated to League One after finishing four points behind the Royals and Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony is understood to be livid with the latest developments.