Graham Potter provides update on Mason Mount contract talks

Chelsea boss Graham Potter is hopeful that a new contract for Mason Mount will be "resolved quickly", as the uncertainty surrounding the attacker's future at the club grows.

The England international has entered the final 18 months of his current deal with the Blues, and it is believed that he has rejected the club's latest contract offer.

Mount is said to be looking for a salary in the region of £240,000 a week, which would be a significant rise on his current £80,000-a-week pay packet at the club.

Liverpool and Manchester United are both believed to be keeping a close eye on the developments in the event that the 24-year-old becomes available for transfer, potentially this summer.

However, Potter is hopeful that there will soon be positive news when it comes to a new deal.

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"It's always complicated, there's always negotiation," Potter told reporters ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Southampton at Stamford Bridge.

"It's best I leave it between Mason and the club. It's the best way for that to be dealt with. He's been fantastic to work with, an important player for us and of course I hope it gets resolved quickly."

Mount has again been a regular for Chelsea during the 2022-23 campaign, featuring on 30 occasions in all competitions, contributing three goals and six assists in the process.

The attacker has largely found it difficult to impress in the Premier League, though, only managing three goals and two assists in 21 appearances.

Mount has been a substitute for Chelsea's last two matches, meanwhile, the 1-1 draw with West Ham United in the league last weekend and Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

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The Englishman had successful loan spells at Vitesse and Derby County before becoming a regular for Chelsea, and he scored 11 Premier League goals during an impressive 2021-22 campaign.

In total, Mount has represented the Blues on 190 occasions in all competitions, scoring 33 goals and contributing 37 assists in the process.

Chelsea will be bidding to win for the first time in five matches when they welcome Southampton on Saturday, while the Blues have only been victorious in one of their last nine games in all competitions.

Potter's side face an uphill battle to qualify for next season's Champions League through the Premier League, as they are currently 10th in the table, 10 points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United.