Chelsea are struggling to strike a new deal with Mason Mount after Newcastle United were linked with a shock summer deal.
The Blues are likely to make a number of signings in 2023 having been on quite the spending spree over the summer.
RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku will be a headline addition but you can guarantee that Todd Boehly will bankroll a number of other signings.
Yet keeping key players will be just as important as bringing in new faces and there seems to be some concern over Mount.
Chelsea’s Mason Mount talks hit stalemate
The Telegraph report that Mount’s talks over a new contract with Chelsea have now hit a stalemate.
It’s stated that Mount has been in talks with Chelsea over a new deal since the summer now but there is still no agreement in place.
Mount is out of contract in the summer of 2024 and now looks set to head into the final 18 months of his deal.
Whilst more talks are expected in 2023, Chelsea have started to look at potential replacements in case they end up losing Mount.
Lorenzo Pellegrini and Jeremy Pino – of Roma and Villarreal respectively – are two names on Chelsea’s wish list if Mount leaves.
Premier League clubs will surely be watching this situation with intent and Newcastle United may even fancy a move of their own.
The Sun reported back in May that Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was taking a keen interest in signing Mount.
Howe allegedly wanted to take Mount on loan to Bournemouth during his time in charge of the Cherries and would like to finally work together at Newcastle.
Newcastle would have the cash to pay up for Mount and give him a lucrative, long-term deal.
The Magpies have also been considering a move for a new number 10 with Leicester City’s James Maddison believed to be a target.
Mount – hailed as a ‘terrific talent’ by Danny Murphy – could fill that role in the Newcastle side brilliantly even if he wasn’t at his best in Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on Saturday.
We would still guess that Mount ends up staying at Chelsea but Newcastle are a major threat to the Blues’ hopes.
In other news, Hugo Ekitike can help Newcastle secure very exciting £30m signing