Bacary Sagna has given Mason Mount three reasons why he wouldn't get into the Arsenal starting line-up. The Chelsea star faces an increasingly uncertain future at Stamford Bridge having recently entered the final 18 months of his contract.
One of the priorities for Todd Boehly following the takeover last year was to tie the 24-year-old down to a new long-term deal, football.london understands. But, it's believed that negotiations have proven difficult thus far, with the proposed length of contract and wage packet proving to be an issue.
Mount is far from one of the top earners at the club despite being a seasoned England international. If the two parties cannot reach an agreement over a new deal, then the midfielder will leave the west London outfit for free in June 2024.
READ MORE: Arsenal's five toughest Premier League matches left as new surprise emerges in Man City battle
In the meantime, he could be available for a cut-price fee — and, a number of top clubs are monitoring his situation. football.london understands that Liverpool are long-term admirers of Mount, while both Manchester City and Manchester United are said to be keeping tabs on developments.
Speaking to The Games Cabin, Sagna discussed the prospect of the Englishman joining Arsenal. The former City and Gunners defender said: "I don’t see him playing ahead of any of the players in Arsenal’s starting XI.
"I think he would purely be an addition and I don’t see him getting ahead of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard or Gabriel Martinelli. I believe that Martinelli has more speed and more creativity and I don’t believe buying a player like Mason and putting him on the bench would be a good decision for the club.
"They need to be smart and they need to bring in players that are content with sitting on the bench sometimes and being happy to share the time amongst the other players in their position. That’s what Manchester City do, but I’ve been at Manchester City and it wasn’t always easy wanting to play and being stuck on the bench.
"Does Mason have the mental qualities to come to Arsenal and sit on the bench? I’m not sure because I’m sure he’d want to play every week."
Amid doubt over Mount's future, Graham Potter insisted that talks are 'always complicated'. Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Southampton clash, the Blues boss said: "It's always complicated, there is always negotiations.
"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."
READ NEXT:
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Gabriel Jesus comeback, Nketiah fitness and Smith Rowe future
Arsenal dealt major Premier League title blow as Mikel Arteta forced to rethink striker plan
PSV chief uses Gabriel Jesus Arsenal transfer example in sly dig at Man United for £86m deal
Graham Potter can finally unleash Chelsea's own Kylian Mbappe vs Everton after seven month agony
Todd Boehly handed £46m Chelsea transfer dilemma to rectify major Thomas Tuchel mistake
