Mauricio Pochettino considers Mason Mount key to Chelsea project amid exit links | OneFootball

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount’s future has been subject to intense speculation, with his contract expiring in the summer of 2024.

The Blues are determined to extend his stay, although he previously declined a renewal offer considering it insufficient.

His situation has caught the attention of fellow English rivals Arsenal and Liverpool alongside Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

The Blues might also be forced to sell him if no agreement is reached over a new deal. The midfielder is valued at around £70 million.

However, Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s soon-to-be new manager, doesn’t want to lose Mount, seeing him as integral to his plans, according to The Daily Mail.

The Argentine gaffer is an admirer of the Three Lions international and believes he will easily buy into his ideas next season.

Mount was pivotal behind the Champions League triumph in the 2020/21 season, and he further grew in stature with an excellent follow-up season, hitting double figures for goals and assists.

However, his form has nosedived this season, which can be attributed to an overall turbulent campaign experienced by the Blues.

In addition to the 24-year-old, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante have also been linked with an exit.

Kovacic is on the radar of Premier League champions Manchester City and Bayern, with the latter pushing for a move with the help of manager Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked by Chelsea earlier this season.

Tuchel is also interested in reuniting with Mount, but Bayern are unlikely to splurge the cash for him while they have prioritised signing a new striker in the summer.

The Blues are open to a massive clearout this season as they are looking to slash their wage bill and avoid FFP sanctions.

Pochettino is set to take over at Stamford Bridge in the summer, while interim manager Frank Lampard will remain in charge until the end of the season.

The Blues ended their drought with a victory over Bournemouth last weekend, and it leaves them 11th in the Premier League table.