Mason Mount continues to be linked with a move away from Chelsea.
The England international will have just a year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge when the season ends and has been touted as a target for Newcastle United.
Liverpool and Arsenal are also said to be in the race even despite potentially incoming Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino being keen to work with Mount.
The 24-year-old is still to agree new terms with his boyhood club even despite his importance to the cause under Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, leaving Chelsea in a difficult position.
If they cannot secure his long-term future soon, they lose any chance of extracting anything approaching maximum value.
Mason Mount’s price tag could drop
According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea have slapped a prohibitive £70m price tag on Mount in an effort to ward off rival interest.
Still, such is the delicate nature of his expiring contract, that could soon drop.
Liverpool are said to have contacted the midfielder’s agents over the prospect of a move but Newcastle, Arsenal, Man United and Bayern Munich are all thought to be keen.
There is believed to be a tense situation behind the scenes amid hope negotiations will bring the price tag down.
Wages could be an issue for Mount
Once described as having the potential to become “world class” by Jody Morris, Mount is seemingly a man in demand.
As such, trying to compete with other teams in terms of wages will not be easy.
The transfer fee is one thing obviously but the report suggests Mount is angling to move alongside Chelsea’s top earners in his next contract.
Given the fact the Daily Mail recently claimed PIF were not willing to break their wage structure this summer, he could still be out of reach.
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