Chelsea have reportedly made extending Mason Mount's contract their number one priority following their hectic period of winter spending.
The Blues ended the January transfer window with no fewer than eight new faces on the books, bringing Enzo Fernandez, Joao Felix, Malo Gusto, Andrey Santos, Benoit Badiashile, Mykhaylo Mudryk, David Datro Fofana and Noni Madueke to the club.
Despite the wealth of attacking arrivals, Mount is still expected to remain a key part of Graham Potter's plans, but his long-term future is shrouded in uncertainty.
The 24-year-old's existing deal at Stamford Bridge is due to expire in the summer of 2024, and he is believed to be on the radar of Liverpool.
Chelsea could come under pressure to sell Mount in the summer transfer window if the England international does not commit to a new deal, but discussions over fresh terms have been rumbling on in the background.
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However, Mount is already said to have turned down the chance to sign a £200,000-a-week deal in West London, and Chelsea's home-grown players could supposedly be facing the axe if the club miss out on Champions League qualification.
Nevertheless, 90min claims that Chelsea are now prioritising fresh terms for their academy graduate, who is set to become one of the club's highest-earning players.
Co-owner Todd Boehly is said to have made contract renewals for Mount and Reece James his main focus upon arriving last year, and the latter committed to a six-year extension last September.
Mount has not followed his compatriot in penning fresh terms, though, and the 24-year-old's entourage are aware of interest from Liverpool and other clubs.
However, Mount's priority is to stay and regain his best form in Chelsea blue, having struggled for regular goal contributions during the first half of the 2022-23 season.
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The England international has three goals and six assists under his belt from 27 appearances in the 2022-23 campaign, but only five of those contributions have come in 19 Premier League matches.
Since coming through Chelsea's academy ranks, Mount has amassed 33 goals and 37 assists in 187 matches for the Blues, who are also working on extensions for a wealth of other first-team stars.
Thirty-eight-year-old centre-back Thiago Silva has confirmed that he is on the verge of signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge, while discussions are ongoing with the representatives of N'Golo Kante.
The Frenchman is due to become a free agent at the end of the season and has also been linked with a move to Liverpool, but he is also understood to be keen to extend his stay in West London.
Chelsea rose to ninth in the Premier League table after Friday's 0-0 draw with Fulham and are next in action away to West Ham United on February 11.
Ben Knapton
