Mount mulls over his future as he nears a Man United move on holiday in Spain

Mason Mount has escaped increasing speculation over his future at Manchester United by jetting off to Spain with friends, including Chelsea team-mate Ben Chilwell.

Mount is yet to agree a new contract at his boyhood club after months of discussions brought parties no closer to confirming his new deal.

With his current contract due to end in 2024, all signs are pointing towards the midfielder having played his last match in blue.

The England international has attracted significant interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag's side thought to be the frontrunner to win Mount's signature.

The 24-year-old is believed to have agreed personal terms with the Manchester outfit, but the Premier League rivals have yet to settle on a fee - United value Mount at around £55million, whilst Chelsea believe his value is closer to £85m.

But thoughts of an impending move looked the furthest possible thing from the player's mind as he relaxed in the sunshine after a frustrating season at Stamford Bridge.

Holidaying near Barcelona, in snaps shared by Chilwell the players took in some paddleboarding and enjoyed a day on a yacht.

In one picture, Mount dozed as the group were ferried to their next destination in a taxi, with one fan in the comments urging Chilwell to 'wake up (Mount), put a pen in his hand and sign that Chelsea contract'.

If the 2022-23 campaign was Mount's last in a Chelsea shirt, it hardly constitutes a swansong.

The two-time club Player of the Year struggled with persistent injury and had difficulty finding form when fully fit, against a backdrop of chaos in the club itself.

A high managerial turnover, lacklustre results, a number of high profile injury concerns and a squad swelled by over-recruitment in January all contributed to the team finishing a disappointing 12th on the final day of the season.

Unable to take part in the final game of Chelsea's campaign due to recent surgent, Mount took to the pitch after the Blues' 1-1 draw with Newcastle to join the 'lap of appreciation', looking emotional as he received applause from the crowd at his last home game in west London.

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.