Graham Potter is hopeful complicated contract talks between Chelsea and Mason Mount will be resolved in the coming weeks as uncertainty over the midfielder's future at Stamford Bridge continues to grow.
One of the priorities for the Todd Boehly/Clearlake Capital consortium after their takeover last year was to tie Mount – Chelsea's two-time Player of the Year – to a new long-term deal. Yet negotiations have proved difficult and football.london understands a key stumbling block has been the length of the contract offered.
Chelsea's ownership group have agreed six, seven and eight-year deals with players throughout the course of this season. It's an unusual strategy but one that has helped the club spend big money in the transfer market. However, there is hesitancy on the part of Mount to commit to such a contract.
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The 24-year-old's current salary – around £75,000 a week – is well below the top earners in the Blues squad; a pay rise for Mount is overdue given the important role he has played in Chelsea's success over the past two years. And if a contract cannot be agreed with the Blues, a number of Premier League rivals hold an interest.
Liverpool are understood to be long-term admirers of Mount while both Manchester City and Manchester United are believed to be keeping tabs on his situation at Chelsea. But Potter would like the England international to remain at the club given the academy graduate's influence.
"It's always complicated, there is always negotiation," the Chelsea head coach explained on Friday. "It's best I leave it between Mason and the club, that is the best way for that to be dealt with as far as I'm concerned. He's been fantastic to work with, an important player for us, and of course, I hope it gets resolved quickly."
Potter was speaking ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash against Southampton on Saturday. It's a game the Blues must win if they are to have any hope of finishing inside the top four. Potter's side are currently tenth in the table and ten points behind Newcastle United, who currently occupy the final Champions League spot.
Wesley Fofana, Mateo Kovacic and Denis Zakaria all returned to the Chelsea squad in midweek against Borussia Dortmund and will be in contention to feature. And Potter hopes to have both Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling available if they come through training later today.
"It's positive," Potter replied when asked about the duo at his pre-match press conference. "We are going to train later this afternoon and providing they come through that ok, there's a good chance they'll be in the squad."
On managing Chilwell, who started his first match for three months in midweek, Potter added: "That's the challenge for us. He had 30 minutes against West Ham, 70 minutes against Dortmund, so the decision will be based on how he recovers today and how he reports back. We'll make the call tonight or tomorrow about whether he can play but it's something we have to be mindful of."
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