Graham Potter has sent a message to the Chelsea board over Mason Mount’s future after discussions broke down over a new deal for the player.
Mount is looking likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after talks between his representatives and the club hit a wall over a contract extension.
The England midfielder has 18 months to run on his deal at Chelsea and he’s made it clear that his preference is to stay at the club.
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He earns around £80,000-a-week and his representatives have been pushing to triple his salary to up to £240,000-a-week to reflect his status as a first-team star.
But, after spending close to £600m since Todd Boehly’s takeover last summer, Chelsea are walking a Financial Fair Play tightrope.
One way around FFP – which they have been doing with some of their new signings – is to hand players lengthy deals as a way to amortise the cost over a long period, so they are paying less per year of the contract.
The Blues want to hand Mount a seven-year contract that would keep him at the club until 2030 but the terms are not close to his demands.
Potter has urged the club to resolve Mount’s future and admits he is hoping for a quick resolution regarding the midfielder.
‘I think it’s always complicated,’ Potter said during his press conference on Friday.
‘There is always negotiations. It’s best I leave it for Mason and the club. That’s the best way for that to be dealt with, as far as I’m concerned.
‘He’s been fantastic to work with and he is an important player for us. I hope it gets resolved quickly.’
Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Mount’s future at Chelsea, while Liverpool and Manchester City have also been linked.
Mount has had 33 goals and 37 assists in 190 appearances for the Blues since making his debut and helped the club win the 2020-21 Champions League.
Ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Southampton, Potter added: ‘We can always do more and do better. But at the same time, you have to look at the situation and put it in context.
‘In terms of how the group is working, it’s positive. I thought the Dortmund performance was a step forward.
‘We have a different challenge at the weekend and we have to make sure we are ready for that.’
