Mauricio Pochettino wants Chelsea to renew the contract of 24-year-old midfielder Mason Mount amid interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.
According to a report by The Sun, Mauricio Pochettino’s priority is to extend the contract of Mason Mount. The future of the 24-year-old, whose price tag is £60 million, at Chelsea is uncertain. Meanwhile, Arsenal and Liverpool are keen on having him in their ranks.
Mount has been a part of the Chelsea setup since his childhood days. He has come through the ranks and established himself as one of their most important players. The England international has been involved in 195 matches and has 70 goal contributions during his time with the Blues’ first team.
However, his contract at the club runs out in the summer of 2024. Chelsea have tried to renew his contract in the recent past. But they have not tasted any success yet. As per the report, they even offered him a one-year extension which was rejected straightway as Mount’s representatives saw it as a way to increase his price tag, which currently stands at £60 million.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino is set to take over from caretaker manager Frank Lampard in a month’s time. And, the incoming Chelsea boss is desperate to have the 24-year-old at his disposal. While they are still keen on extending his stay at the club, the situation is a lot more difficult.
A Chelsea source said to The Sun, “It feels like it is too late now for Mason. Pochettino is good but he can’t work miracles. If he had been brought in when Chelsea sacked Thomas Tuchel in September then maybe it would be a different story. But in ten months there hasn’t been any resolution and other clubs want him. Good luck to Poch and Mason but we’re not hopeful.”
If the Blues fail to extend his stay, they will look to offload him in the summer for a fee of around £60 million. Chelsea are in no mood to risk losing out on him for free. Meanwhile, Arsenal and Liverpool are the two big contenders for his signature.
The Gunners want to strengthen their midfield to be competitive in both the league and the Champions League. Arsenal might have added Jorginho in the winter, but Mikel Arteta is still keen on adding another world-class midfielder in the summer. And, he would love to have Mount in his ranks as he is a versatile player who can feature in different roles.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have struggled in the ongoing season because of an inconsistent midfield. A few of their senior players are all set to part ways with the club in the summer. And, their manager Jurgen Klopp is keen on a midfield overhaul.
The German manager is a big admirer of Mount and would love to have him at his disposal. The 24-year-old’s arrival will be a big boost for the Merseyside club. However, with Pochettino pushing for a renewal, it will be interesting to see where Mount ends up playing his football next season.
