Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jonty Colman

Three of Chelsea's biggest rivals putting 'plans in place' to sign Mason Mount

Chelsea star Mason Mount has been linked with transfer interest from three of the Blues’ Premier League rivals.

According to the The Athletic, three Premier League clubs are lining up moves to sign the Blues and England international midfielder who has had another stellar campaign for Thomas Tuchel’s side in all competitions. Especially given uncertainties over the club’s ownership with Roman Abramovich currently attempting to sell the five-time Premier League winners.

The report does not name any of the clubs said to be keen on Mount, who has scored 12 goals in 50 appearances for the Blues in all competitions this season, but does say that other clubs from across Europe are also said to be keeping tabs.

The midfielder has two years left on his contract at Stamford Bridge and he is currently believed to be among the lower earners with the south west Londoners on £70,000 a week. However, the current sanctions on the club’s ownership prevent them at present from offering Mount a new and improved deal to extend his stay at the club he first joined at the age of six.

The same report also states that clubs including Champions League semi-finalists Manchester City and Real Madrid are both keen on lining up a move to sign the Blues’ England international defender Reece James. James, like Mount, has been a regular this term and in recent seasons, although his 2021/22 campaign was affected by a long-term hamstring issue suffered before the turn of the year.

The 22-year-old currently has three years left on his contract at Stamford Bridge and, like Mount, has spent most of his life in the Blues’ academy, initially starting training in Chelsea ’s academy at the age of six. Carlo Ancelotti’s Real side could be targeting a move from Chelsea once again. It was recently confirmed that centre-back Antonio Rudiger would leaving the Blues on a free transfer in the summer and a move to Madrid is set to be announced.

Chelsea's German head coach Thomas Tuchel (C) congratulates Chelsea's English defender Reece James (L) and Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Norwich City at Stamford Bridge in London on October 23, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Will Reece James and Mason Mount still be at Chelsea next season? Have your say in the comments section.

James’ versatility and quality has made him a reported target for City and Real, with James playing convincingly in multiple positions including right-back, right wing-back, centre-back and central midfield. Since making his Blues debut, Mount has played 157 times in all competitions, scoring 29 times in that run. James has currently made 118 appearances for Tuchel’s side, with both featuring from the off in Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Everton on Sunday.

In a must-win game for the Toffees in their attempts to avoid relegation for the first time in over 70 years, Brazilian Richarlison’s goal early in the second half was enough to earn three points for the hosts at Goodison Park.

Chelsea remain in third but they have won just once in their last four league games. They have a five-point cushion in third after Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-0 win over Leicester City.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.