21 April 2023 , 16:27
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Arsenal have held talks over a potential move for Chelsea star Mason Mount this summer.
Mount, 24, has just over a year left to run on his current deal at Stamford Bridge and could be allowed to leave at the end of the season. The Blues need to sell players to balance their books after crashing out of the Champions League, and Mount might be one of those sacrificed.
According to GOAL, Arsenal have now joined the race to sign the England international. Mikel Arteta is set to strengthen his squad in the summer and Mount is someone they are monitoring ahead of a possible move.
Mount has rejected several contract offers from Chelsea in recent months and is closing in on an exit from the club, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich all linked. The former Derby midfielder is out of contract in 2024 and turned down a fresh offer of around £200,000 per-week earlier this year.
It is claimed Mount, who currently pockets £80k-a-week, wants £250k-a-week but Chelsea's wage structure change could mean he won't receive that offer. Every player that either signed a new deal or were brought in since Todd Boehly took over the club last summer will see their wages slashed by 30 per-cent following Chelsea's Champions League exit - which ends their hopes of qualifying for the competition next season.
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Mount last signed a new contract in 2019 when Roman Abramovich was the owner and the change doesn't affect his current salary, but it may impact future offers. Chelsea have shown reluctance to increase their most recent £200k-a-week bid and there is very little likelihood the club will meet his demand.
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Mason Mount could be set to leave Chelsea this summer (Getty Images)This has put a number of Premier League teams on high alert for Mount's signature. Liverpool look to be in pole position to sign the player, with Jurgen Klopp needing midfield reinforcements. Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner are all out of contract this summer.
Man Utd and Newcastle are amongst the other suitors, while Bayern Munich have emerged as a possible destination following Thomas Tuchel's arrival at the Allianz Arena. Arsenal are keen to lure Mount across the capital and bolster Arteta's ever-growing talent squad at his disposal.
Declan Rice is understood to be the Gunners' priority transfer target in the upcoming transfer window, with the West Ham midfielder expected to leave the London Stadium. However, Arsenal could also try and sign Rice's close friend and fellow England teammate Mount as well.
Mount has scored just three goals and provided two assists in 24 Premier League appearances this season, but has started just one of Chelsea's last 10 top-flight matches. He has only just fully returned from a pelvic injury problem and could be back in Frank Lampard's starting XI for their game against Brentford next week.