Chelsea have seemingly pulled off the coup of the summer transfer window by bagging Raheem Sterling for less than £50million - but their marquee signing could complicate contract talks with Mason Mount and Reece James.
After months of turmoil at Stamford Bridge, the Londoners' new co-owner Todd Boehly has a whole raft of issues to resolve before the new Premier League campaign kicks off. The American's main priority right now is helping Thomas Tuchel bolster the Blues current playing squad, with the imminent capture of Sterling expected to be the first of many this summer.
However, Boehly and Tuchel also realise the importance of locking down the likes of Mount and James to new long-term deals now that the club can participate in negotiations once again.
The homegrown duo have established themselves as key players for the Blues during Tuchel's reign, but both are paid a pittance compared to some of the club's other big names - and they could demand vast sums in the wake of Sterling's arrival.
According to a new report from The Athletic, both Mount and James are acutely aware that they have been consistently outperforming players at the club who are currently earning more than double their wages. Furthermore, sources familiar with the situation apparently believe that negotiations with the pair over fresh terms will 'not be straightforward'.
Both players are believed to be earning less than £100,000-a-week; a figure that lags well behind the £270,000-a-week pay packet that Timo Werner currently pockets. And with Sterling now expected to rake in more than £300,000-a-week, Mount and James will expect any new deal to move them into a bracket that is much closer to some of the club's top earners.
Join the debate! Do you think Mount and James should be amongst the top earners at Chelsea? Let us know here.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article27378889.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Wolverhampton-Wanderers-v-Manchester-City-Premier-League-Molineux-Stadium.jpg)
Mount's current deal only has two years left to run, and the midfielder - who racked up a staggering 29 goal contributions for the Blues last year - has already attracted admiring glances from some big-name suitors over the past few months. James is tied down to the club until the summer of 2025 but has also started to attract attention after a breakthrough campaign under Tuchel last year.
And that interest could work in the duo's favour should the Blues choose to adopt a tough stance in contract negotiations. Chelsea would be loathe to lose two homegrown stars who have grown into integral members of the current squad; particularly as the duo would more than likely move to a major rival if they were to depart the club.
Liverpool and Manchester City have previously been credited with an interest in Mount, while City, along with Real Madrid, have also been linked with James.