Mount affected by Liverpool 'speculation' as summer move nears - 'It's been tough...'

Liverpool transfer target Mason Mount has been affected by speculation linking him with a move to Anfield this summer according to Chelsea manager Graham Potter.

The English midfielder is about to enter the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge and he's not close to agreeing a new contract with his boyhood club, according to The Athletic.

Liverpool are leading the pack in terms of Premier League clubs interested in signing the midfielder but new Bayern Munich boss and Mount's former manager Thomas Tuchel is also keen.

Current Blues manager Graham Potter has revealed that injuries and constant speculation has affected Mount this season but remained professional.

Speaking ahead of their game against Aston Villa on Saturday (via Liverpool Echo), Potter said: " think it's been tough for him because he's had some niggling injury and speculation off the pitch.

"He's a professional and a top professional and he's a fantastic lad. How he's acted with me, with the team, how he's acted around us has been absolutely top."

"I think that's credit to him because sometimes in your career things are difficult, not quite optimal how you'd like them to be and you have to act well and conduct yourself in a good way and that's exactly what he's done."

Where will he end up?

Given Chelsea's super spending over the past couple of transfer windows, competition for places remains high and with such a large squad it's going to be difficult to keep everyone happy.

Mount was unavailable for international duty recently due to injury and will need to make sure he's playing regularly if he's to be a certain pick for England manager Gareth Southgate.

Liverpool are in desperate need of investment in midfield and are interested in Mount but Jude Bellingham remains their priority.

Chelsea will demand up to £70m for the 24-year-old despite him only having one year left on his deal, but whether any club is willing to pay that much remains to be seen.