Picturing Mason Mount in the colours of any team other than Chelsea is almost unthinkable. But, that worrying nightmare could soon become a reality if he does not sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge with several Premier League rivals keen to acquire his services this summer.
A turbulent 2022/23 campaign for Mount has not helped his case when it comes to negotiations over an extension with the Blues. Talks have been planned and postponed on numerous occasions throughout the last 12 months, with the summer now as the final deadline for both parties to decide what will happen next.
Mount extending his stay at Stamford Bridge is likely want both sides want, but getting to that point proves to be the hard part. Given the new bumper contracts signed by Reece James and Ben Chilwell recently, Mount is said to want a similar deal to his fellow England internationals.
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However, high-profile contracts being handed are not as common under the Todd Boehly regime, which explains why no agreement has been met. Because these problems have been evident for some time, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal have all been able to show their interest and plot a summer move for Mount.
Of the three, Liverpool look to be leading the transfer race, however Mount's willingness to stay in London could make Arsenal his preferred destination. According to the Athletic, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants to add creativity in a more advanced midfield position which perfectly explains the Gunners' interest in Mount.
The rivalry between the two London-based teams is also not thought to be an issue over a potential sale, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs. In his Chelsea column for Si & Dan Talk Chelsea, Jacobs wrote: “I do think Chelsea would sell Mount to Arsenal at the right price. They did business for Jorginho. If it makes sense for the club – and it will financially if Mount doesn’t sign a new deal – I doubt Chelsea will block Mount from moving on out of stubbornness or rivalry. It’s far more important to get a fee for him if he doesn’t renew.”
Although Chelsea thinking beyond the rivalry and focusing on how the situation can financially benefit them is smart, the club simply have to do everything in their power to agree on an extension, and if that can't happen, at the very least try not to sell to a direct rival.
Very rarely do major transfer moves occur involving two 'big six' teams but that trend was broken last summer by Arsenal and Manchester City, with two decisions very nearly costing the latter. Both Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus joined Arsenal for a combined fee of £77million and those two additions allowed the Gunners to unexpectedly take City right down to the wire in the title race.
The lack of experience during the run-in, along with some major injuries ultimately prevented Arsenal from shocking the league and winning the title, but it will still serve as a severe warning.
If Chelsea sell to any of the three English clubs strongly interested, they are immediately strengthening a direct rival and while Mount has not had his best season, Chelsea should take note of how City's naivety in selling two squad players, to a team where the duo become nailed on starters, very nearly cost them a third successive Premier League title.
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