Todd Boehly holds direct talks with Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount?

The long-term future of the academy graduate has been a hot topic for debate with his contract currently due to expire at the end of next season.

If widespread claims are to be believed, the current state of play is formal discussions being delayed until the summer with no agreement being found earlier this year.

Mount is said to want near parity with the biggest earners at the club, as well as not wanting to sign terms which will keep him at Stamford Bridge for another seven years.

In contrast, Boehly and other club officials have not been prepared to hand the England international the financial terms that he craves, while wanting a deal of their preferred length.

As a result, speculation persists that a transfer to another club is becoming increasingly likely, with Liverpool allegedly towards the front of the queue.

Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Bayern Munich - the latter managed by former boss Thomas Tuchel - have all been linked with the 24-year-old in recent months.

However, according to The Athletic, Boehly and Mount have held a direct conversation to determine whether a compromise can be found in the future.

The report says that Boehly reiterated to Mount on Friday that he was an important part of the club and there was a desire to retain his services in the long term.

Such a development is said to be deemed as a positive, with dialogue seemingly being kept open at a time when it has been determined that Chelsea are highly unlikely to play in Europe next season.

Talks have also taken place at a time when it appears that Mauricio Pochettino is the clear frontrunner to become the club's head coach.

Over the weekend, it was suggested that Chelsea wanted to confirm an appointment within the next 10 days, and the former Tottenham Hotspur boss has allegedly impressed during the interview process.

On the pitch, Chelsea, under caretaker manager Frank Lampard, remain focused on trying to end the season in the top half of the Premier League standings, with 10th-placed Brentford their next opponents on Wednesday evening.