Chelsea have reiterated their desire to keep hold of Mason Mount beyond this summer - with the midfielder reportedly holding "positive" talks with co-owner Todd Boehly last week.
The 24-year-old is set to enter the final 12 months of his contract at Stamford Bridge and has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool this summer, with Jurgen Klopp a long-term admirer.
And after cooling their long-time pursuit of England and Borussia Dortmund ace Jude Bellingham earlier this month, Mount is one of a number of Premier League midfielders who have been linked with a move to Anfield this summer.
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However, according to The Athletic, Mount held positive talks with Boehly as recently as Friday, where the Londoners reiterated their wish to keep hold of the England international who has been at the club since the age of six.
Writing in his daily column, David Ornstein said: "But despite that and multiple contract offers being rejected, the regard in which Mount is held by his employers has not diminished - and on Friday a direct conversation took place between co-owner Todd Boehly and the player, where his importance and a desire to keep him was reiterated.
"The dialogue has been interpreted inside Chelsea as a positive development, with what looked like a foregone conclusion and Mount leaving shifting to a feeling that it is not out of the question he stays.
"It is a huge decision for both parties as Chelsea’s US-led ownership group continues to rebuild after its takeover in May 2022 and Mount ponders whether to remain at a club he joined aged six.
"While the finances involved will naturally be a consideration for Chelsea and one of their lowest-paid squad members, Mount will earn a lucrative deal whatever he chooses - so factors such as career development, fulfilling his potential and competing for trophies are likely to be more critical."
After spending over £500m since Boehly and Clearlake Capital's takeover of the club in the summer of 2022, Chelsea will be forced to raise significant funds this season in order to follow the Premier League's Financial Fair Play rules. And with Mount being an academy graduate, Chelsea would be able to bank complete profits of his potential departure from Stamford Bridge.
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