Chelsea are yet to find an agreement over an extension to Mason Mount's contract, 90min understands, but both parties remain keen to find a solution.
Blues co-owner Todd Boehly has been working to secure Mount's future since last summer but, unlike the speedy agreement reached with right-back Reece James, talks with the midfielder have proven challenging.
Sources have stressed to 90min that Mount does want to stay at Chelsea but the academy graduate is eyeing a contract that reflects his status as a regular starter for both club and country, while he also wants clarity on Chelsea's plans for the future.
As of yet, no agreement has been reached but lines of communication remain open between Mount and Chelsea, with club officials still working to put together the best proposal for a player who, as a home-grown talent, is worth more to Chelsea than any other club.
Daniel Childs reacts to latest Chelsea news as Graham Potter receives backing from club board after poor Premier League run and Andrey Santos stars with Brazil ahead of Chelsea debut. If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!
The Blues recognise Mount's importance to the club and remain committed to the 24-year-old, whose situation is being watched closely by Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle United.
While not directly linked, Chelsea are aware that their struggles to come to an agreement with Mount could impact their pursuit of the midfielder's best friend, West Ham United's Declan Rice.
90min understands that Rice will not tie his decision to the future of Mount but there are fears inside Stamford Bridge that any negative experience for the latter could cause problems in their attempts to lure Rice across London, with Arsenal also interested in a deal for the West Ham man.
The focus at Chelsea is currently extending Mount's contract, after which decisions will have to be made on a number of players on expiring deals.
Alongside Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic are all in the final 18 months of their contracts.
READ NEXT: The 50 most expensive football transfers of all time
Source : 90min