Mason Mount has made a huge decision which could impact his future at Chelsea amid interest from Manchester United. The 24-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford lately, however he doesn't seem to be pushing for an immediate exit.
football.london understands that the Blues were once close to reaching an agreement with Mount over a new deal, with his contract at Stamford Bridge expiring in 12 months. However, following his return from the World Cup in December, an offer was no longer on the table.
Shortly into the new year, Chelsea reopened talks with the England international, but he didn't want to sign a one-year extension. It's believed that Mount has not yet received an improved proposal since, meaning that he'll become a free agent at the end of next season.
The Red Devils are said to have had three bids rejected by the west Londoners for Mount, with their final offer reportedly being £55million, including £5million worth of add-ons. According to widespread reports, United walked away from negotiations after Chelsea submitted a counter offer of £58million, plus £7million in add-ons.
Despite plenty of speculation regarding his future, Mount doesn't look set to force a departure. According to The Telegraph, the Cobham graduate is planning to inform Mauricio Pochettino that he will report for pre-season training and make himself available for the Blues' tour of the United States which kicks off on July 17.
However, while Mount may be keen to respect his contract with the west Londoners, The Telegraph state that Pochettino is hoping that the large majority of Chelsea's want-away players will be sold before July 17. It's said that the squad are returning to training from next Tuesday, with those who have tended to their international duties arriving later.
The Telegraph add that Pochettino would like to meet Mount if his future remains unsolved by the time they begin working together. While the Blues would prefer to not be left empty handed, the midfielder will be free to leave in 12 months if he cannot find a new club this summer.
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Last month, Frank Lampard forecast an exit for Mount after claiming that he did not know how Chelsea planned on holding onto him. Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Chelsea caretaker manager said: "I think that’s a difficult situation because from working with Mason - and not just Mason, other players when I was here before - they have either gone on to be really important players for the club that have a real relationship with the fans because they really feel the club, having been in the academy since eight years of age, and some of them have gone on to other clubs and the club have done well out of that and you wish them well in their careers.
"I think with Mason particularly as an individual, I don’t know what the solution is going to be because it’s the club and Mason’s issue. I don’t know where exactly Mason is at personally, he’s got a year left on his contract.
"I know he’s held in high regard at the club and I know the club are trying to do what they can to make him stay, but I also think that Mason, I’d never want to stand here in the modern day and talk about what a player should do because they’ll see it all from their own eyes.
"I think in the old days it would be why are you leaving the club? In the modern day it’s you should move on, and we’ve got into this situation that is happening now."
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