Apple mail stuck in saving drafts or moving messages

Hello,

I have been having an issue with my apple mail not being able to download new mails unless apple mail is restarted in safe mode. Still new mails take far too long to load.

The gmail account is working fine as I have been using the webmail through safari.

The apple mail constantly displays "Saving 1 of 15 drafts" and seems to be stuck at this point. New mails will not appear unless I quit apple mail and then restart it in safe mode using the shift key.

Could anybody please advise how this issue can be resolved?

Thank you very much

Regards,