Chelsea ‘halt talks’ with Liverpool target after player ‘rejects offers’ ahead of major summer decision

Lewis Oldham
Chelsea end talks with Mount

Chelsea have reportedly ‘halted talks’ with Mason Mount and discussions over a new contract for the Liverpool target will not resume until the summer.

Mount’s future at Chelsea is uncertain as his current contract is due to expire at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

The midfielder has been a vital player for his boyhood club in recent seasons but he has slipped down the pecking order somewhat in recent weeks.

The 24-year-old began on the bench against West Ham and Borussia Dortmund. He then started over the weekend against Southampton but he was taken off with 25 minutes to go as Chelsea were beaten 1-0.

It may well be the right time for Mount to move on from Chelsea as the club’s significant expenditure on new players could be to the detriment of the midfielder.

Liverpool are known to admire the England international and they are tracking him with the view to them signing a couple of new midfielders this summer.

David Ornstein of The Athletic is reporting that Chelsea have ‘halted talks’ with Mount until the summer so they can ‘focus’ on the Premier League and Champions League.

Mount’s contract situation is one of ‘many issues’ facing the club’s owners. It is noted that ‘several offers’ have been ‘rejected’ over the past few months. The report adds. 

‘That has led to speculation that Mount could depart his boyhood side, and reports have suggested a number of suitors, most notably Liverpool, will attempt to prise him away from west London.

‘The interested parties may be encouraged to learn that, currently, talks about extending Mount’s Chelsea career have been paused and — given the need for Graham Potter’s men to focus on finishing well in the top flight and Europe — they are not expected to resume until the summer.

‘Once the season has ended and the conversations are picked up, Mount will have 12 months left and Chelsea’s intention is to secure the academy graduate to fresh terms or approve a sale.

‘Going forward, the hierarchy want to avoid anyone entering their final two years — let alone their final one.

‘Another important squad member to emerge from the ranks, Reece James, has been tied down through to 2028 and it is likely the club will want to keep his team-mate in a similar pay bracket.

‘Chelsea’s midfield rebuild has seen the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos sign, Jorginho depart and discussions about retaining the services of N’Golo Kante move in a positive direction.’

I have argued that Mount would be perfect for Liverpool, but they are also interested in the likes of Jude Bellingham and Matheus Nunes.

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