Chelsea have rejected Manchester United’s opening offer of £40million for Mason Mount.
United launched their first bid for the England international on Wednesday, according to The Daily Telegraph, but it has fallen some way short of Chelsea’s valuation.
The Blues have put a £70million price tag on the 24-year-old despite him having just one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Mount has already turned down at least two new contract offers from the club with United confident that situation will not change.
United are convinced Mount wants to join the club with reports suggesting personal terms have already been agreed.
It remains to be seen whether United will return quickly with an improved offer or bide their time with Chelsea facing the dilemma of whether to lower their asking price of see Mount walk away on a free transfer next summer.
Mauricio Pochettino is eager to keep the player in west London but Mount currently has his sights set on a move away from the capital.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United all registered their interest in signing Mount with Jurgen Klopp eager to bring him to Anfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister, who completed his move to Merseyside last week.
Liverpool cooled their interest however after baulking at Chelsea’s £70million asking price.
Former United captain Gary Neville meanwhile has questioned the club’s pursuit of Mount, believing there are more pressing matters in midfield.
‘I am surprised about the Mason Mount one to be honest with you,’ Neville told Metro.co.uk. ‘For the reported fee… he is a very good player, that isn’t a question for me.
‘But I look at the players United have got already in terms of Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Fred and Scott McTominay. Do I think Mason Mount is the player to go in and sort all that out? I’m not quite sure.
‘Mason Mount would be a very good addition to Manchester United’s squad, but it is a lot of money for a squad addition.’
MORE : Arsenal ‘make opening proposal’ to sign Chelsea forward Kai Havertz after Declan Rice
MORE : Why Chelsea star Mason Mount wants to join Manchester United over Liverpool
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