Chelsea have shelved contract talks with Mason Mount and Liverpool have been put forward by David Ornstein, while a new contract policy has been touted that’ll prevent future debacles of this type.
The future of Mason Mount if shaping up to be one of the most intriguing transfer sagas of the summer. The 24-year-old is a homegrown talent at Stamford Bridge and has been a regular starter under Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.
His form has tailed off in the current campaign, with just three goals and six assists returned across 31 matches in all competitions.
Nevertheless, he remains an integral figure for both club and country and few would bet against the attacker rediscovering his form in short order.
However, speculation continues to grow Mount may get back on track at a club other than Chelsea.
Indeed, Mount’s current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2024. He’ll have just 12 months remaining come the summer and talks over an extension have not borne fruit thus far.
Prior reports have claimed Mount wishes to be brought in line with the club’s top earners. Raheem Sterling, for example is believed to pocket over £300,000-a-week and a reported offer of £200,000-a-week was snubbed by Mount.
The Guardian noted Juventus and Liverpool were monitoring the situation closely back in November. Juventus have since been rocked by an accounting scandal and common sense would dictate they won’t be forking out the type of fee Mount would command.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are known to be on the hunt for at least one new midfielder come the summer. Fabrizio Romano recently stressed Reds fans may well be greeted with two additions in the engine room.
Jude Bellingham is the club’s primary target, but Mount – who could operate on either side of a midfield three – is another option being explored.
Mason Mount talks shelved; Liverpool put forward
Now, the Athletic’s David Ornstein has weighed in on the situation. The trusted journalist heralded Liverpool as the likeliest suitor to pounce after Chelsea shelved further talks with Mount until the summer.
Ornstein confirmed ‘several’ offers have been put to Mount by Chelsea, though all have been turned down.
He acknowledged the rampant speculation linking Mount with a move away, concluding ‘most notably Liverpool’ could attempt to prise him away from west London.
Chelsea’s primary focus at present is rescuing their ailing campaign both in the Premier League and Champions League. They currently sit 10th in the table and will take a one-goal deficit into the second leg of their Round of 16 clash with Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea have therefore put talks with Mount on hold until the summer. At that point, ‘Chelsea’s intention is to secure the academy graduate to fresh terms or approve a sale.’
Given he’ll have just 12 months remaining on his deal at that stage, it stands to reason Chelsea won’t be able to recoup Mount’s true value if they do cash in.
Mount debacle to prompt policy change
Ornstein also added the debacle of letting a homegrown and influential star’s contract run down will prompt a shift in strategy moving forward.
Many Chelsea contracts were put on the backburner in 2022 during the time Roman Abramovich was selling up.
That contributed to the Mount situation, and the report adds Chelsea ‘want to avoid’ letting any players enter the final two years of their contract in the future, never mind the last one.
As such, Chelsea sales of players with two years left on their deals could become increasingly common under Todd Boehly.
Doing so will ensure the Blues can extract maximum value in the event they feel they have no option but to cash in.
