Derby County loan star Mason Mount has been attracting interest from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, the Daily Mail report.
The Rams signed Mount on a season-long loan from Chelsea. Manager Frank Lampard, who arrived in the summer, evidently used his connections at Stamford Bridge to bring in the talented midfielder.
Mount has quickly established himself as a popular figure at Pride Park. The attack-minded player has scored five goals and grabbed three assists in 27 Championship outings.
His importance to the side has been heightened over the past two months. During a lengthy injury layoff where Mount missed as many as 10 games, Derby managed to win just two of them.
Mount’s return to the starting XI prompted the 6-1 thrashing over Rotherham United last Saturday. Keeping the player fit could now be Derby’s best hope of securing a top six spot come the end of the season.
MORE DERBY STORIES
How Mason Mount could have high-profile options this summer:
But keeping him beyond the summer doesn’t look particularly likely. Chelsea may feel he would benefit from another loan spell, but Derby now face competition from better propositions.
The Rams are said to be keen on having Mount back next season. However, Bundesliga side RB Leipzig are a clear step up, and they could offer Champions League football next year.
The Red Bull-owned side are currently third in the German top-flight and play at the 44,345 capacity Red Bull Arena. With Germany international Timo Werner on their books, the calibre of potential teammates is also much higher than at Pride Park.
Derby boss Lampard believes the past year has put Mount further up the ladder. The former Chelsea man also sees the midfielder’s future at Stamford Bridge and backs him to become an England international.
Mount will decide on his future over the summer. In the meantime, all Derby fans can hope for is that the youngster keeps on producing the goods in order to give the club a chance of promotion to the Premier League come May.
Also see: Derby County reportedly face competition as they seek new deal for Kelle Roos.