Manchester City withdraw from race to sign Chelsea star amid Liverpool interest

Officials from the Etihad Stadium will not pursue a deal for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount this summer, according to a report.

Manchester City are known to be in the market for a central midfielder this summer, amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the futures of club captain Ilkay Gundogan, wantaway star Bernardo Silva, and the largely out-of-favour Kalvin Phillips.

City officials had shown a strong interest and admiration in the services of Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, but reports across the last 24 hours have indicated that the 19 year-old is moving ever closer to Real Madrid.

Other potential central midfield targets have been few and far between, but alongside the likes of Leicester City’s James Maddison and Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga, Chelsea academy graduate poster boy Mason Mount has also been mooted.

That is until now, as a recent report has detailed that the reigning Premier League champions will not be pursuing a deal for the Portsmouth-born playmaker in the coming weeks and months.

That is according to Pete O’Rourke for Football Insider, who reports that Manchester City have joined Newcastle United in withdrawing from any sort of race that could ensue for the signature of Chelsea’s Mason Mount in the coming months.

It is explained that both City and Newcastle ‘monitored’ the England international’s situation at Stamford Bridge, and while they had weighed up a move, the two parties have ultimately decided against making a formal proposal for the player this summer.

At this moment, it remains uncertain as to what direction Manchester City transfer chiefs will take their hunt for a new central midfielder, and also what the future holds for a trio of current stars within Pep Guardiola’s ranks.

While City would ideally like to retain Ilkay Gundogan beyond the end of the current season, they seem unwilling to propose anything more than a one-year extension – which could be problematic for a player looking for stability in the twilight years of his top-level career.

Bernardo Silva is yet to firmly iron out his plans beyond the end of the season, and after seeking an exit from the Etihad Stadium in the past couple of summers, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the Portuguese star.

As for Kalvin Phillips, and despite his struggles since joining from Leeds United last summer in a £42 million deal, the former England Player of the Year is understood to be keen on winning over Pep Guardiola next season and earn more regular game time under the Catalan coach.