Mason Mount’s Chelsea future remains in doubt, despite Mauricio Pochettino seeing the midfielder as a key part of his rebuild at Stamford Bridge.
Mount is out of contract at the end of next season and is not close to agreeing an extension after talks with co-owner Todd Boehly showed no sign of a breakthrough.
Pochettino has identified Mount as integral to his plans at Chelsea and will ask the club to restart negotiations with the midfielder once his appointment is confirmed.
But Mount wants a deal that brings him closer in line with other senior members of the squad.
Chelsea and England team-mate Reece James last year signed a six-year contract worth £250,000 a week, reflecting his status at Stamford Bridge.
Mount has been named Chelsea player of the year in the past two seasons and also wants assurances over his role in the squad and the direction of the club. There are also issues around image rights, which are further complicating talks.
The 24-year-old wants to stay at Chelsea, who insist they want to keep him.
But both parties are no closer to an agreement and Liverpool have signalled strong interest in Mount over a potential summer move to Anfield.
Arsenal and Newcastle are also interested in the England international, but Liverpool are seen as favourites to sign him should he leave Chelsea at the end of the season.
If Mount does not agree a new contact this summer, Chelsea are ready to sell him to ensure they receive a transfer fee and do not risk losing him for free next summer.
Mount has brought in help from ROOF agent Neil Fewings, whose company works for Liverpool duo Virgil van Dijk and Harvey Elliott, as well as Kai Havertz.
