Jürgen Klopp had to rethink Liverpool’s transfer plan after ‘major’ setback from Mason Mount

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had identified Mason Mount as a key summer transfer target, but the Chelsea midfielder is now closing in on Manchester United

Despite strong interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, Mason Mount is approaching Manchester United in a successful summer move.

The 24-year-old Chelsea academy graduate is on the verge of being sold by his youth club in the next transfer window after months of talks over a new contract which failed to materialize – much to the chagrin of Mauricio Pochettino, who has been named as new head coach of the Blues earlier this week.

Liverpool were initially touted as favorites to sign Mount as speculation about his future flared last month, but the English star now appears set to move to Old Trafford after “reaching personal terms” with rivals of the Reds’ Premier League.

It is now up to Manchester United to agree a fee with Chelsea to enable a deal. And if the Red Devils can put up a fight in the coming days, Jurgen Klopp could be forced to make a major overhaul of his summer transfer plans. A report from The Telegraph earlier this week outlined that Klopp had identified Mount and Brighton master Alexis Mac Allister as the two key components of his summer rebuild – and that missing a deal for Mount would be a “major blow” for the Reds.

With Klopp set to overhaul his beleaguered engine room, the German will be forced back to the drawing board if Mount proves unreachable following his Manchester United deal.

Liverpool are in pole position to sign Mac Allister, whose departure to Brighton should be confirmed in the coming weeks, but Klopp is said to still be in the market for at least one other central midfielder

Mirror Football revealed last month that the Reds had agreed contract terms with Bayern Munich maestro Ryan Gravenberch, while reports this week pointed out that Liverpool also have a stake in OGC starlet Nice Khephren Thuram.

Speaking after Liverpool’s thrilling season finale against Southampton on Sunday, Klopp made it clear he expects to be supported by owners Fenway Sports Group in the transfer market. Obviously we will be busy, more on the phone for me than anything else” Klopp told Sky Sports. “It’s kind of a job too, but it’s going to be good, I like doing it and we’ll see.”

It remains to be seen how much Klopp will 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 they will leave Anfield as free agents.