Chelsea: Boehly ‘reiterates importance’ of Liverpool target amid ‘positive contract development’
A ‘direct conversation’ between Mason Mount and Todd Boehly has given Chelsea a glimmer of hope they can agree a new contract with the player, according to David Ornstein.
Mount is attracting interest from Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich with his Blues deal set to expire in 2024.
The England midfielder has rejected multiple contract offers and is now expected to leave the club in the summer.
Liverpool are in dire need of midfield reinforcements and are the favourites to land Mount having ended their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.
Chelsea are keen to agree fresh terms with their youth academy graduate but have been put off by his wage demands.
And according to The Athletic, the club’s hierarchy will not hold official talks until the end of the season but have been boosted by a conversation between the player and co-owner Todd Boehly.
It is noted that the Blues’ current priority is appointing a new head coach following the dismissal of Graham Potter.
However, with an eight-day gap between fixtures, ‘the club have gained some clarity and time to focus on plans for next season.’
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Chelsea’s ‘intention’ is to extend Mount’s contract this summer, or sell him, with a host of Premier League clubs keen.
A summer departure is ‘widely expected’ at this stage.
Despite this, it is said that ‘the regard in which Mount is held by his employers has not diminished’.
And last Friday, the 24-year-old had a ‘direct conversation’ with Boehly, ‘where his importance and a desire to keep him was reiterated’.
Boehly has ‘interpreted’ the conversation as a ‘positive development’ and there is now growing optimism Mount will stay at Stamford Bridge when it was previously felt an exit was a ‘foregone conclusion’.
Ornstein notes that money is not Mount’s main focus, but ‘career development, fulfilling his potential and competing for trophies’.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Benfica youngster Diego Moreira, according to Portuguese newspaper Record.
The 18-year-old winger was born in Belgium but has made 12 appearances for Portugal’s Under-19 side.
He is highly rated at Benfica, but with his contract expiring in June, Moreira has reportedly agreed to join Premier League giants Chelsea on a free transfer.
Moreira’s style of play has been compared to former Manchester United and Portugal player Nani.
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