It has been revealed what Mason Mount will do if he cannot join a new club this summer. The 24-year-old midfielder faces an increasingly uncertain future at Stamford Bridge, with his contract expiring at the end of next season.
football.london understands that Chelsea were once close to reaching an agreement with Mount over a new deal, but, following his return from the World Cup in December, an offer was no longer on the table. Then, shortly into the new year, the Blues reopened talks with the England international, though he didn't want to sign a one-year extension.
It's believed that Mount has not yet received an improved proposal since, meaning that he'll become a free agent in 12 months. football.london understands that Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are all seriously interested in the Cobham graduate, however only the latter is said to have submitted an offer.
In fact, the Red Devils have reportedly had three bids rejected by the west Londoners, with their final proposal being £55million, including £5million worth of add-ons. According to widespread reports, United walked away from negotiations after Chelsea submitted a counter offer of £58million, plus £7million in add-ons.
While Erik ten Hag's side may have once looked down and out, showdown talks are said to be just around the corner. According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea and United have planned face-to-face talks to discuss whether a deal will go ahead or not following weeks of back and forth.
The Italian journalist has stated that if Mount cannot find a new club this summer then he will get his head down and work hard, but then leave as a free agent. According to The Telegraph, Mauricio Pochettino would like to meet Mount if his future remains unsolved by next Tuesday – when a large majority of the squad returns for pre-season.
Further to this, the report outlines the Argentine's desire to offload any want-away players by July 17, which is when the Blues jet off to the United States. While United may be the only Premier League side to have tabled a bid for Mount, Bayern Munich pose a tough competition.
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Despite the attraction of a move to the Bundesliga champions, Romano has reported that there has been no contract with the German outfit. Last month, Frank Lampard forecasted an exit for Mount, claiming that he did not know how Chelsea planned to hold onto the midfielder.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Blues caretaker manager said: "I think that’s a difficult situation because from working with Mason - and not just Mason, other players when I was here before - they have either gone on to be really important players for the club that have a real relationship with the fans because they really feel the club, having been in the academy since eight years of age, and some of them have gone on to other clubs and the club have done well out of that and you wish them well in their careers.
"I think with Mason particularly as an individual, I don’t know what the solution is going to be because it’s the club and Mason’s issue. I don’t know where exactly Mason is at personally, he’s got a year left on his contract.
"I know he’s held in high regard at the club and I know the club are trying to do what they can to make him stay, but I also think that Mason, I’d never want to stand here in the modern day and talk about what a player should do because they’ll see it all from their own eyes.
"I think in the old days it would be why are you leaving the club? In the modern day it’s you should move on, and we’ve got into this situation that is happening now."
