Pochettino needs 'MIRACLE' to keep Chelsea star amid Arsenal links

Tom Weber

• Updated: 16 May 2023 06:06 BST
• 3 min read

Incoming Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino will face a tough challenge to keep hold of midfielder Mason Mount after the Englishman has aroused interest from Arsenal.

The Blues want to keep their homegrown star around and tie him down to a new long-term deal, but in light of their uncoordinated spending spree this season, they may be forced to yield if a suitable offer comes in.

The €600 million spent on transfers has left Chelsea with a bloated squad that will force them to adopt a one in, one out policy this summer. New players can only be signed if an equal number of squad players leave, and with Chelsea also potentially butting against Financial Fair Play regulations, they need to raise funds from sales.

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With just a year left on his current deal, Mount has long been linked with a summer departure, with Liverpool being touted as a likely destination. Now, Todo Fichajes claims that Arsenal are also eyeing the 24-year-old.

Impossible to keep

The report states that soon-to-be-announced head coach Pochettino "faces a considerable challenge to retain" Mount. Indeed, the Argentine "will need a 'miracle' to reverse the situation" as the English international reportedly wants out of Stamford Bridge.

"He was offered a one-year extension in February but turned it down, interpreting it as a ploy to increase his transfer fee," writes the Spanish outlet. With relations between the club and the player at their "lowest point," according to the report, Chelsea may be keen to cash in on their academy graduate.

READ: Chelsea to MISS out on goalkeeper they NEED to target after Mendy howler

Arsenal are said to be lurking, but Mount isn't the only Chelsea player linked with the Gunners. Fellow midfielder N'Golo Kante has also recently become the subject of a potential move to North London after rumours about a Granit Xhaka departure surfaced.

Could one of them - or both - follow in the footsteps of Jorginho and cross the city divide?