Chelsea star Mason Mount has rejected a new contract worth more than £200,000 per week, just a week before flying out to the FIFA World Cup, according to reports.
It has been said that the 23-year-old's decision was calculated one as he hoped could pay off should he enjoy a successful tournament in Qatar with England. Already in the Group Stages, Gareth Southgate's side have four points from six after their recent draw with USA following their comprehensive 6-2 win over Iran.
Mount, a Cobham academy graduate, has 18 months remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge and as a result, has attracted interest from the likes of Premier League rivals Liverpool and Serie A giants Juventus.
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In a report from the Daily Mail, it has been said that the midfielder's representatives are looking to match a contract similar to summer signing Raheem Sterling who arrived from Manchester City - on a contract believed to be worth £300,000-a-week.
Fellow academy graduate Reece James signed a six-year extension with the Blues in September which sees him pocket £250,000-a-week. But the talks with Mount have continued until the World Cup - which will now hold off until after the tournament.
It has been said that there is an 'apparent' reluctance from Mount as he enters the final year-and-a-half of his deal. Last summer, Chelsea lost Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer to Real Madrid after they failed to renew his contract which saw him leave at the end of his term.
They are risking the loss of 31-year-old midfielder N'Golo Kante who is out of contract at the end of the season. Foreign clubs can enter pre-contract negotiations from January.
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