Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Chelsea ready to go to town with bumper new deal for midfield star

Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea

Chelsea are reportedly preparing to hand a lucrative new contract to one of their top young stars, who Thomas Tuchel rates very highly.

Considered one of England’s brightest prospects, Mount has made a big impression for club and country over the past two seasons. A now a report from Goal claims that the Blues’ hierarchy are ready to make the attacking midfielder one of their best-paid players.

Since forcing his way into the side’s first team in 2019, following an impressive loan with Derby under Frank Lampard, the 22-year-old has become one of Tuchel’s go-to players.

Indeed, speaking last month the German revealed it’s often tough to leave Mount out of the side.

He told the club’s official website: “Sometimes we are a bit worried. But on the other side he seems to deal so good with all the minutes and all the load that he has that it’s sometimes very hard to leave him out because he looks fresh, he comes with a smile.”

Mount currently earns a reported £75,000-a-week salary. However, there is a feeling around Stamford Bridge that he should be in the same financial bracket as Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.

The midfielder may have to wait his turn, however. Chelsea are currently trying to tie down defensive duo Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to new long-term deals.

Matthijs de Ligt's agent Mino Raola holds talks with Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona

Matthijs de Ligt's agent Mino Raola holds talks with Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona

Matthijs de Ligt's agent Mino Raola has reportedly held talks with Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona, with more news on Nemanja Matic, Donny van de Beek, Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen.

But Mount looks certain to be next in line and could see his wages as much as double. His current contract runs out in 2024.

Since making his senior Blues debut, Mount has contributed to 33 goals in 116 games for the club.


Solskjaer given little chance of seeing out the season at Manchester United


Chelsea learn Raphinha asking price

Meanwhile, an agent has told interested clubs what they can expect to pay for Leeds United winger Raphinha, as Chelsea’s name were thrown into his long list of suitors.

The Brazil star continues to build on his burgeoning reputation with Leeds this season. Three goals in seven Premier League appearances have shot the 24-year-old on to the international stage. He was called up by Brazil recently for their triple header with Venezuela, Colombia and Uruguay and did not disappoint.

Raphinha was a half-time sub against Venezuela and provided two assists. He then got a half-hour run-out against Colombia before starting against Uruguay and scoring twice.

That will have already impacted his value and his agent has already hinted that his man may well be looking to move on.

Raphinha Leeds United winger during the Premier League game against West Ham at Elland Road

“He’s young, he has many challenges ahead. There are certainly several clubs that like him, and Liverpool do like him. There were surveys, but nothing official. Leeds wanted to keep him for another season,” Deco told Globo Esporte. 

Now Deco has spoken out once again on his client’s future.

This time, the former Chelsea player has stuck an apparent price on Raphinha’s head were Leeds to sell him next summer.

In doing so, he’s also questioned the website Transfermarkt’s valuation of €32m on the 24-year-old star.

“I don’t know how they do it. To be honest, I don’t understand Transfermarkt’s evaluations,” Deco told UOL. “I think now it should go up.”

Meanwhile, another Brazilian agent Eduardo Uram reckons Raphinha would fetch just over £50m in the modern market.

“I think today he’s worth more than €32m. What will determine the price is the level of the club that signs him. If it’s Manchester United, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, the price could reach around €60m. What determines the price of a player is the market he hits.”

READ MORE: Newcastle could scupper Chelsea plans in two windows after settling on ‘prime target’