Chelsea have reportedly failed in their latest attempt to agree a new contract with Mason Mount.
Since being introduced into the first team in August 2020, and penning a long-term deal at the same time, Mount has emerged as a key man in the squad.
As many as 33 goals and 37 assists have been provided during his 188 appearances in all competitions, but that ratio has not been carried over into this campaign.
Mount has just three strikes and two assists from 20 outings in the Premier League, by far his worst period of form in England's top flight.
Nevertheless, Chelsea's new hierarchy remain intent on extending the terms of the academy graduate, backing up their work with some of his teammates.
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Todd Boehly is keen to tie the club's most prized assets down to contracts of six years or more, a method being used to help the club's position with FFP.
With Mount now having less than 18 months on his existing deal, the 24-year-old is now regarded as one of Boehly's priorities ahead of the summer.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Mount is yet to give the green light when it comes to lengthening his stay at Stamford Bridge.
The report suggests that there is considerable distance to what is being offered and what Mount is prepared to accept in order to prolong representing the Blues.
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Mount is said to feel that the terms being presented to him are significantly below what has been given to some of his teammates, with direct comparisons likely to be made with the likes of Reece James and Raheem Sterling.
The England international allegedly wants to earn in the region of £240,000 per week, treble what he is currently bringing in at the West Londoners.
While negotiations are likely to continue, Chelsea are not in a position where they afford to risk losing Mount on a free transfer in 2024.
In the past, Liverpool have been credited with an interest in Mount, although it is unclear what level of fee that Chelsea would demand if they received an offer from a direct rival.
Darren Plant
