Chelsea 'pause Mason Mount contract talks until summer'

Chelsea have reportedly opted to delay any further contract talks with Mason Mount until the end of the season.

Ever since the academy graduate entered the final two years of his existing deal, speculation has persisted regarding his future at Stamford Bridge.

Although extended terms have recently been agreed with the likes of Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Armando Broja, the fellow former Blues youngster is yet to commit his future to the club.

A number of reports in recent months have indicated that the 24-year-old is keen to extend his stay at the West Londoners, a club that he has represented on 191 occasions.

However, it has been well documented that there are a number of stumbling blocks, including a desire for parity alongside other key members of the squad and a preference not to have to pen a seven or eight-year deal which has become more of the norm since the club's takeover last May.

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When commenting on the situation at a press conference on Friday, head coach Graham Potter admitted that he wanted a resolution as soon as possible, despite acknowledging that the negotiations were complex.

Instead, The Athletic reports that no more talks will take place until the end of the season in a bid to avoid distractions.

The report suggests that priority is being given to Chelsea attempting to move up the Premier League standings as soon as possible, as well as remaining in the Champions League.

Chelsea sit in 10th position in the top flight, 11 points adrift of fourth, while they lost the first leg of their European last-16 tie at Borussia Dortmund last week by a 1-0 scoreline.

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Mount is no longer regarded as an automatic first choice at Chelsea with two of his last three appearances coming from the substitutes' bench.

While the England international started Saturday's encounter with Southampton, he lasted just 64 minutes and was withdrawn as Potter chased an equaliser versus the Saints.

Should Chelsea failed to agree terms with Mount in the summer, they will allegedly look to sell the playmaker, who is not short of admirers both home and abroad.

Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid have all been suggested as potential destinations from the 2023-24 campaign onwards.