Chelsea make stance clear on Liverpool target with Poch having ‘no influence on Mount package’

Chelsea still plan on selling Mason Mount if he refused to agree a new contract this summer despite the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino, according to reports.

The Blues academy product will enter the last year of his contract at the end of June with Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich among his suitors.

Chelsea are yet to strike an agreement in contract negotiations with Mount and it’s understood that the England international has turned down several offers from the west London club.

There have been previous rumours that claimed Chelsea owner Todd Boehly wanted to sell Mount this summer if he continues to refuse to sign a new deal and Football Insider insist that their stance hasn’t changed despite the imminent arrival of Pochettino.

Widespread reports indicate that former Tottenham manager Pochettino will take over from caretaker boss Frank Lampard at the end of the season.

Pochettino will ‘sit down with the 24-year-old in an attempt to persuade him to extend his Stamford Bridge stay’ but the Argentine ‘will have no influence on the financial package offered to Mount – and Chelsea plan to sell the England international if no agreement can be reached’.

Former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson thinks Liverpool should ditch their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister if it means they can sign Mount this summer.

Johnson said: “Even though it sounds silly to say, nowadays, £70 million for a good player isn’t that expensive, is it? Alexis is certainly a good player but if you have to spend £70 million, then I’d rather that money was spent on Mason Mount.

“Mason would have suited the team better, he would have got into the starting eleven and I don’t believe that Alexis can instantly command a starting berth in Liverpool’s team.

“He would certainly be a good squad player, but I’d have preferred if they signed Mason Mount.”

Ally McCoist thinks there’s a chance Mount might stay at Chelsea if Pochettino can steady the ship following a turbulent season.

On whether he would like to see Mount stay at Chelsea, McCoist replied on talkSPORT earlier this month: “I would, actually. He’s kind of lost his way a little bit. Which is A) understandable and B) acceptable, in a club that’s completely lost their way. It’s natural that younger players are going to suffer from it and maybe not fight their way through it.

“Once Pochettino or whoever comes in steadies the ship a little bit, I would like to see Mason Mount still at Chelsea. Of course I would, yes.”

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