Chelsea are reportedly prepared to use Mason Mount in a bid to boost their efforts to sign Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix.
Having come through the Blues academy ranks to help guide the club to their second Champions League triumph in 2021, Mount will always be regarded fondly in Chelsea's history.
However, despite contributing 33 goals and 37 assists during 190 appearances in all competitions, the England international is currently enduring his worst campaign for Chelsea in terms of numbers.
Furthermore, the 24-year-old finds himself in and out of the team under Graham Potter at a time when the West Londoners are attempt to negotiate a new contract with him.
If reports are to be believed, the relevant parties have reached an impasse, a result of Mount wanting parity with the likes of Reece James and Raheem Sterling.
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Although it is widely claimed that Mount wishes to remain at Stamford Bridge, discussions are said to have stalled, throwing open the possibility of an exit in the summer with less than 17 months remaining on his existing terms.
According to Marca, Chelsea's hierarchy are open to using the playmaker in any proposal for Felix at the end of the season.
When Chelsea signed the Portuguese star in January, it was on a straight loan deal with Atletico unwilling to offer their Premier League counterparts a chance to activate a permanent option.
While that theoretically also gave Chelsea a get out if a temporary move did not work out, Felix has impressed in his three outings for the club.
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The report indicates that Felix is open to making a switch to Chelsea on a full-time basis, feeling that he will receive chances that he was not getting under Diego Simeone at Wanda Metropolitano.
That said, it is suggested that Atletico are against receiving players as part of any financial package, instead preferring to generating in excess of £100m.
More recently, Atletico's asking price has fluctuated, depending on reports, but the most recent claim is that his valuation is dependent on his performances at Chelsea.
As of right now, Atletico will allegedly look to recoup close to the £113m that they paid Benfica back in 2019 having witnessed Felix become an instant first-choice pick under Potter.
Darren Plant
