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The Manchester United administration apparently admires Chelsea playmaker Mason Mount and could make a move for the England international this summer given his uncertain contract situation.
The 24-year-old ascended from the Blues’ junior academy to become a key contributor for Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel, but he has encountered more difficulty under Graham Potter.
Mount’s Future is Uncertain at Chelsea
Mount is no longer a definite starter for Chelsea after the January acquisitions of Joao Felix, Mykhaylo Mudryk, and Noni Madueke; he was a second-half substitution in the weekend loss at Tottenham Hotspur.
Mount’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the conclusion of the upcoming season, and Chelsea are reportedly failing to reach an agreement to extend the midfielder’s deal.
The playmaker is rumored to be displeased with the club’s proposed salaries, having signaled his desire to become one of the highest-paid players in order to remain.
Mount Could Depart the Blues this Summer
As a result, Chelsea has halted negotiations with the 24-year-side, old’s and a number of Premier League clubs are reportedly monitoring the issue closely.
Dean Jones, a transfer specialist, told GiveMeSport that Mount is “respected” by the Old Trafford hierarchy, but they are not persuaded that he will be available this summer.
“He’s definitely appreciated by people within United, so it is interesting,” Jones said, “I think they’ve still got uncertainty about whether he’s truly going to become available, though, at the end of the season.”
“Chelsea are in a state of flux, at the moment,” Jones added.
The attitude of Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has been to acquire and maintain youthful players at Stamford Bridge, but Manchester United will not be the only team to test their determination over Mount.
Newcastle United has also been linked with a move as Liverpool prepares for a major midfield revamp during the summer transfer window.
Mount has accumulated 33 goals and 37 assists in 192 senior appearances for Chelsea in all competitions since gaining senior experience on loan with Vitesse and Derby County.
The England international has won the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup, but he only has three goals and six assists in 32 appearances this season.
Mount’s 30-minute cameo against Tottenham at the weekend was ineffective, as Chelsea’s poor run continued thanks to goals from Oliver Skipp and Harry Kane.
The Blues have now gone six games without a victory under Potter and are entrenched in mid-table mediocrity, ranked 10th and 14 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, who have played one more game.
In preparation for Saturday’s match against Leeds United at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s leaders continue to trust Potter despite the team’s dismal run of losses.
The side lost out to the Yorkshire side in their first league meeting of this season. In what was one of Thomas Tuchel’s last games in charge of Chelsea, the Blues were defeated 3-0 by Leeds at Elland Road.
The Stamford Bridge side will not take another defeat like that very well though it remains a strong possibility due to their current form.
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