Arsenal are set to move for Mason Mount – and bring his best friend along to boot
(Image credit: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Arsenal are stepping up efforts to bring Mason Mount to the Emirates Stadium and are locked in talks over a deal for the Chelsea star.
Mount is out of contract in 2024 and has so far failed to agree terms on a new Chelsea deal to take him beyond that threshold. The Cobham academy product finds himself as one of Stamford Bridge's lowest earners due to the influx of new stars in the past year – and apparently has concerns over signing a long-term deal of over five years like the ones that Benoit Badiashile and Mykhaylo Mudryk have.
Liverpool are stepping up the chase for the England international as they search for alternatives to Jude Bellingham in midfield – but now Arsenal are set to play a trump card in their own negotiations.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is looking for new midfielders this summer (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
According to GOAL'sArsenal correspondent Charles Watts, the table-toppers are in talks with Mount, as well as Declan Rice of West Ham United.
The pair have been best friends since childhood and though both would be unlikely to make decisions on their future based on each other, the Gunners could pair them together in the same midfield.
Arsenal are looking for a long-term No.6 in their midfield three, with Jorginho only on an 18-month deal at the Emirates Stadium, while Granit Xhaka is past 30 and finding a successor to him in midfield would be ideal over the next couple of seasons.
Rice and Mount could fill those two roles themselves but both are versatile. Rice could play as a No.8 alongside Thomas Partey at the base of the midfield, while Mount has functioned on the left wing for Chelsea.
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Mason Mount and Declan Rice are good friends – and could end up playing together at club level (Image credit: Getty)
Mount is also believed to be wanted by Manchester United, with Chelsea believed to be holding out for £70 million for their midfielder.
The 24-year-old is valued at €65 million by Transfermarkt.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
