Reece James admits Chelsea ‘will be sad to see Mason Mount go’ amid Man United links

Reece James admits ‘everyone at Chelsea will be sad to see Mason Mount go’ with Manchester United in talks over signing England star they value at £55m

Reece James has admitted Chelsea ‘will be sad to see Mason Mount go’ if the England midfielder departs Stamford Bridge as expected this summer.

Manchester United have opened talks with the Blues over signing Mount, who has one year remaining on his contract and looks unlikely to agree a renewal.

However, while United value Mount at around the £55million mark, Chelsea want £85m to sell a player who graduated from their academy.

Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked with the 24-year-old.

James, who like Mount is at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona this weekend, told Sky Sports: ‘If he goes, everyone will be sad to see him go.’

Reece James (right) admitted everyone at Chelsea will be sad to see Mason Mount (left) go if the midfielder leaves for Manchester United this summer

James was speaking at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, where several footballers are in attendance for Sunday's race

James was speaking at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, where several footballers are in attendance for Sunday’s race

Mount presented Red Bull's Max Verstappen with the pole position trophy after he finished fastest in qualifying on Saturday

Mount presented Red Bull’s Max Verstappen with the pole position trophy after he finished fastest in qualifying on Saturday

Mount and Ben Chilwell pictured in the Red Bull garage ahead of Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix

Mount and Ben Chilwell pictured in the Red Bull garage ahead of Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix

Mount has been mulling over his future while on holiday with a group of friends, including his Chelsea team-mate Ben Chilwell, in Spain this week.

He joined Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Scuderia AlphaTauri garage for Saturday’s qualifying session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Mount later presented Dutch Red Bull driver Max Verstappen with the pole position award after he qualified fastest for Sunday’s race.

James was interviewed as he strolled along the pit lane ahead of Sunday’s race and insisted Chelsea would improve next season under new manager Mauricio Pochettino after finishing a lowly 12th in the Premier League table.

‘It has been a tough year, we’ve had lots of injuries and we didn’t finish in the best position but hopefully next year is better,’ he said.

‘Everyone is saying he is a great manager. Hopefully next season we find our feet early and we’re a good, strong side.’

But unless he has a last-minute change of heart, they will do so without Mount.

He has agreed personal terms with United but the Premier League rivals remain far apart on price as talks continue.

Mount and Trent Alexander-Arnold watched qualifying from the AlphaTauri garage

Mount and Trent Alexander-Arnold watched qualifying from the AlphaTauri garage 

Mount with Chelsea interim manager Frank Lampard during a lap of the Stamford Bridge pitch

Mount with Chelsea interim manager Frank Lampard during a lap of the Stamford Bridge pitch

The midfielder looked emotional amid speculation he will leave Chelsea over the summer

The midfielder looked emotional amid speculation he will leave Chelsea over the summer

Mount, who missed the final weeks of the season through injury, looked emotional as he joined team-mates on a ‘lap of appreciation’ after Chelsea drew 1-1 with Newcastle United last Sunday.

Team-mate Thiago Silva all but confirmed the certainty of Mount’s exit with a comment under an Instagram post suggesting the player had agreed terms with United. 

The Brazil international and Chelsea’s Player of the Year this term posted two sad-faced tearful emojis in the comments, perhaps indicating the mood of the dressing room as they gear up for the departure of one of the core members of the squad. 

United manager Erik Ten Hag has identified Mount as one of his priority transfer targets with United chiefs keen to complete early business this summer as they look to avoid the uncertainty of last year’s close-season window. 

Pochettino would like Mount to stay at Chelsea, having admired the midfielder for some time.  

Thiago Silva made his feelings clear about Mason Mount's seemingly inevitable departure

Thiago Silva made his feelings clear about Mason Mount’s seemingly inevitable departure

Mount, pictured here with Silva (left), is a target for Manchester United this summer

Mount, pictured here with Silva (left), is a target for Manchester United this summer



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