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According to The Sun, Bournemouth are leading the race to sign Chelsea's Mason Mount on loan next season.

The Cherries will surely be hoping that the prospect of playing Eddie Howe's expansive, exciting football in the Premier League will be too good to resist for the 20-year-old.

Could signing the midfielder be a big risk for Howe to take though?

What's the word?

Well, The Sun report that Howe is set to offer Mount top flight football next season after a stellar spell at Derby this campaign, where the youngster has excelled under Frank Lampard.

The Cherries are lacking depth in central midfield after Lewis Cook suffered a long-term injury, while Andrew Surman has also been struggling with a calf issue recently.

Considering Maurizio Sarri's approach to youth talent this season, there is no promise for more game-time for Mount at Stamford Bridge next season and he may look to secure another loan to get regular minutes.

The move makes complete sense on paper but is it a risk for Howe to sign the Englishman if it means one of his key players is displaced?

Bad for Brooks

Mount will surely be looking to make the step up to the Premier League next season and thus follow in the footsteps of David Brooks, who signed for Bournemouth in the summer after a stellar season with Sheffield United.

The versatile Welshman has been used all over the midfield this season but is clearly at his best in a central role - would the signing of Mount mean that the 21-year-old is shifted back out wide on a permanent basis, where he is far less effective?

Mount and Brooks are extremely similar players with similar ceilings but it would surely be impossible for Howe to give both the central berth they need to be at their best - something has to give.

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Signing Mount on loan would be a massive risk for Howe to take given that it could disrupt Brooks' development, so perhaps the Vitality Stadium outfit should forget about signing the Chelsea man.