Chelsea have started formal contract negotiations with Mason Mount as they seek to tie down his long-term future with a lucrative new deal.
Standard Sport first revealed last month that Chelsea’s new owners were planning talks with Mount, who is in the final two years of his contract at Stamford Bridge. Discussions have now taken place and, while they are not at an advanced stage, there is optimism that an agreement will be reached with the 23-year-old England midfielder.
Mount is in line to become one of the highest earners at Chelsea and is ready to snub any advances from rivals in England and abroad due to his loyalty to the club. Negotiations could take time and, if a deal is not reached before the World Cup, they are likely to run into next year as Mount will be eager to focus on the tournament in Qatar.
New Chelsea owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake last month tied Reece James down to a six-year contract worth £250,000-a-week and they have made securing the future of fellow academy graduate Mount one of their next priorities.
Boehly and Clearlake want to keep the homegrown duo at the heart of the club for the next decade and securing longer-term contracts for younger players is part of a new strategy. Wesley Fofana signed a seven-year contract following his £75million summer move from Leicester and Armando Broja recently agreed a new six-year deal.
Mount has been named as Chelsea’s player of the year two seasons running and his new deal is set to reflect his status. He suffered a rare dip in form under Thomas Tuchel at the start of the season but is now rediscovering his best under new manager Graham Potter.
Mount is likely to start in the San Siro tonight when Chelsea will try to follow up their 3-0 Champions League win over AC Milan last week to take charge of Group E. He goes into the match having got two assists in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Wolves.
Speaking at the weekend, Potter was full of praise for Mount when asked about his return to form.
The Chelsea manager said: “I do not doubt Mason Mount at all. It’s just like anything, sometimes the team doesn’t function as well and so the individuals don’t function as well.
“Any young player knows football is a bit up and down, you have moments when it doesn’t go your way and it’s about what you can learn from that. He’s got that character, that personality, to continue to develop. He’s a delight to work with.
"I never like to put ceilings on players. I try to help them enjoy their football. I think if the team is playing well it helps individuals in the team, and that’s the job, that’s what we have to do.”
