Mason Mount holding showdown Pochettino talks in new Chelsea twist - sources
Incoming Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is set to sit down with midfield star Mason Mount in an attempt to persuade him to extend his contract, sources have told Football Insider.
Those with knowledge of the 24-year-old's situation have revealed that Pochettino "would love" to keep the England international at Stamford Bridge.
However, the Argentine will have no influence on the financial offer made to Mount by the Chelsea board.
Mount will have just 12 months left on his Blues contract next month and has been widely linked with an exit in the summer window.
It is believed that he is no closer to penning new terms at his boyhood club despite long-running discussions on the matter.
Football Insider revealed last month (29 April) that Liverpool and Arsenal are set to battle for Mount's signature - with Jurgen Klopp's side confident they lead the race to complete a deal.
Man City and Newcastle have bowed out of the fight for the midfielder - while German giants Bayern Munich have also shown an interest in his services.
Mount currently earns a reported wage of £80,000-a-week on the Stamford Bridge deal he signed in 2019.
Football Insider sources revealed on 15 February that he is demanding parity with top-earning Chelsea stars like Raheem Sterling and Reece James in order to sign a new contract.
On the pitch, Mount has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign after undergoing surgery on a persistent abdominal problem in April.
He contributed a meagre return of three goals and six assists across 35 appearances in a challenging season for Chelsea.
The Blues are expected to appoint Pochettino in the coming days after concluding their search for a long-term Graham Potter successor.