New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly plots plan to dish out SEVEN-YEAR contracts with Mount and James in line for bumper deals
CHELSEA want seven-year contracts for their best players aged under 25 - with Mason Mount and Reece James first in line.
That's according to the Mail, who say new club owner Todd Boehly is keen on US-style long deals for youngsters.
It's thought England stars Mount and James will be joined on the list by striker Armando Broja - a top target for Newcastle and West Ham.
It comes as the Blues reportedly agreed a £17million deal for Inter Milan midfielder Cesare Casadei, 19.
And it shows how Boehly is reshaping the Stamford Bridge set-up on and off the pitch - with the club also in talks over extending boss Thomas Tuchel's deal.
American sports clubs often try to pin down starlets for their peak years.
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And playmaker Mount, 23, plus 22-year-old wing-back James, are already established as first-team regulars.
Both also seem certain to be part of Gareth Southgate's Three Lions' squad for the World Cup in Qatar this winter.
But attempting to lock Broja, 20, into a lengthy stay could also be a smart piece of financial work.
That's because it's understood his admirers have been considering paying out up to £30million for the Albania star, who shone on loan for Southampton last season.
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The suggestion is, however, that seven years would be the outer limit if Chelsea do adopt the radical policy of huge extended contracts.
Earlier this month £62m Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella, 24, and Aston Villa midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, 18, arrived on six-year deals.
Everton, though, insist frontman Anthony Gordon is not for sale at any price after the Blues bid £45m.