Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has emerged as a potential transfer target for Newcastle, according to reports.
The England international is out of contract at the end of next season and talks over a new deal have not made much progress in recent months.
Mount last put pen to paper on terms with the Blues in the summer of 2019, before he had even made his first-team debut for the club.
He is one of Chelsea's lowest earners on around £80,000 per week, despite having won their Player of the Year award in 2021 and 2022.
Mount is seeking to become one of Chelsea's best-paid players but the two parties have yet to reach an agreement on a new deal.
So while the midfielder would be happy to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge, the stand-off means he may well end up being sold this summer so that Chelsea can avoid losing him on a free transfer in 2024.
According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle are the latest team to emerge as contenders to sign Mount.
Liverpool are also keeping close tabs on the situation, as Jurgen Klopp seeks to refresh his squad ahead of next season.
Newcastle have dropped out of the top four in recent weeks, with a four-point gap to Tottenham in the final Champions League spot.
The Magpies are by no means out of the race yet, but they will need to add more strength in depth to their squad if they are to become perennial contenders.
Mount would certainly add a lot of quality to their ranks, and Newcastle would not find it difficult to meet Chelsea's demands.
As well as Liverpool, the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus are said to have an interest in the 24-year-old.
Chelsea will return to Premier League action against Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
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Chelsea are on red alert after reports emerged suggesting Manchester United are now in pole position to sign Alexis Mac Allister.
Arsenal have been urged to make a move for Mason Mount, whose future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain amid a contract stand-off.
And the Blues are said to be attracted to the idea of re-signing Tammy Abraham, who left the club for Roma in 2021.
