Chelsea are said to have launched a contingency transfer plan in the event that Mason Mount decides against penning a new deal. The 23-year-old has entered the final two-years of his contract at Stamford Bridge and, with Todd Boehly keen to build a stable future, the Blues are eager to secure the midfielder's future after already tying down Reece James.
According to The Telegraph, the west Londoners are looking at Lorenzo Pellegrini of Roma and Yéremy Pino of Villarreal as candidates to potentially replace Mount if he opts against an extension. The report states that there is an expectation that the Cobham graduate will pen a new deal but 'it could take time'.
It's said that talks between the two parties began over the summer and there is no agreement as of yet. The report adds that other attacking midfielder options have been considered by Chelsea as the club continue to make wholesale changes on and off the pitch.
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Pellegrini, who is valued at £52.7million by CIES Football Observatory, has featured eight times for the Italian giants in the Serie A this season, directly contributing towards three goals. The 26-year-old captains Jose Mourinho's side and has been central to Roma's renewed success in recent years.
He'll be the more experienced option of the two, while Pino still has potential to fulfil. The Villarreal wonderkid was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer and is said to have already snubbed Barcelona.
Pino, who sees his contract at the Estadio de la Ceramica expire in 2027, has featured six times for Unai Emery's side in La Liga this season, directly contributing towards one goal. His displays for the Yellow Submarine are said to have also attracted the interest of Liverpool and Arsenal.
A 'big offer' for the winger would force the Spanish side to make a 'difficult decision', according to AS. The report claims that the 19-year-old has a £67million release clause, but it was believed that a bid between €40million and €50 million (£35.1million to £43.9million) could be enough to secure the youngster's signature.
Speaking to the media ahead of Villarreal's game against Valladolid, Emery spoke on Pino's future at the club. The former Arsenal boss said: "If an offer arrives for players like Yeremy Pino, then he will have to leave. We have a responsibility with the club. It is what it is."
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