Chelsea face contract problem with second player after Mason Mount left ‘unhappy’
When players’ contracts expire, Chelsea wants to prevent them from leaving for nothing.
Mateo Kovacic’s current term with Chelsea expires in 2024, but contract extension talks have not yet been initiated, according to reports. Although those negotiations are not going well, the Blues are giving other talents priority.
The former Brighton manager is striving to choose which players he wants to keep and which ones he is willing to sell and replace as Graham Potter’s team is in the midst of a reconstruction. In January, there were several signings, and more additions will come through the door this summer.
Despite adding Enzo Fernandez from Benfica on deadline day, Chelsea wants to add to its midfield depth at the end of the season. However, Potter prioritises having choices in the park’s middle and would prefer to keep N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, and Kovacic on his team.
The Athletic reports that despite the latter’s contract expiring at the conclusion of next season, negotiations have not yet started. The international from Croatia has played in 15 league games so far this season, starting seven of them. Minor ailments have prevented him from securing a berth in the starting eleven more frequently.
Despite getting little playing time, the higher-ups at Stamford Bridge are anticipated to prioritise Kovacic’s contract extension because they want to make sure that players only depart for a fee. They like to offload players rather than maintain their services, which is why they do not want to keep players who plan to become free agents. Jorginho was sold to Arsenal last month as a result of this.
Although Mount is apparently “unhappy” with the most recent offer from his boyhood club, talks with Kante and the latter are still continuing on. The Mail asserts that Mount wants a contract that represents his importance at the club given that he has already appeared in 20 league games this season, and the two parties are far from reaching an agreement.
Although Chelsea does not want the midfielder to become one of the highest-paid players at the team, the 24-year-old would like to see his earnings tripled. As a result, negotiations have been placed on hold. However, they will soon resume once the team has produced a new offer.
Kante’s current contract expires at the end of the current campaign, and negotiations are already taking place for him to sign a new one with the team in the hopes that he can recover from his hamstring injury soon.
