Mauricio Pochettino is set to face a significant challenge in retaining Mason Mount at Chelsea.
The new manager has identified the midfielder’s contract situation, valued at £60 million, as a key priority when he assumes his role at the end of the season.
However, it appears that Pochettino’s arrival has come too late to salvage the ongoing negotiations, and it seems likely that Mount, a highly regarded player among Chelsea fans, will depart his childhood club after being with them for 18 years.
At 24 years old, Mount has just over a year remaining on his current contract, and discussions have reached an impasse after ten months.
SunSport can reveal Mount was offered a one-year extension by Chelsea in February but this was flatly rejected and seen as a ploy simply to raise his transfer fee.
Relations between the player’s representatives and the club are at an all-time low and Pochettino needs a “miracle” to turn it round.
A Blues source said: “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.”
Mount is injured but eyeing a return for the final two games this season — at Manchester United then home to Newcastle on May 28.
That could well be the end of the England star’s Blues journey, which started when he was six.
Premier League rivals Liverpool and Arsenal have been strongly linked with interest in Mount.
And Chelsea will sell if he does not sign a new deal as they do not want him leaving for free at the end of next season.
This season in Premier League, Chelsea’s form is Average overall with 11 wins, 9 draws, and 14 losses.
This performance currently places Chelsea at 11th out of 20 teams in the Premier League Table, winning 32% of matches.
Chelsea’s home form is poor with the following results : 6 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses.