Manchester United have accepted Chelsea’s offer to negotiate directly and potentially in person as the two clubs remain at an impasse over Mason Mount’s potential transfer. The Red Devils had become frustrated with their Premier League rivals’ valuation of the England man with just a year left on his contract.
United have had three bids turned down by Chelsea, the latest totalling £55million, as Erik ten Hag’s outfit were prepared to walk away and turn their attention to other targets. Brighton’s Moises Caicedo was subsequently sounded out, who has also been of interest to the Blues as a potential partner for Enzo Fernandez.
United and Chelsea now appear to be prepared to negotiate once again for Mount, as Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the two clubs are prepared to have direct communications this week to make a final decision on the 24-year-old. United’s £55m offer remains on the table, but will not be available to Chelsea forever as they initially wanted such discussions to take place.
After turning down United’s third bid, Mauricio Pochettino’s side countered with two proposals – one would be Mount leaving for £58m plus £7m in add-ons which would total £65m, the club’s valuation of their academy product. They also offered to meet United decision-makers in person to thrash out a deal.
United have now accepted Chelsea’s offer to speak directly in regards to Mount, a positive development ahead of the Blues’ upcoming ‘transfer deadline’ on June 30 – the day when Todd Boehly and co will have needed to make several sales in order to help comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
Mount could join the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz, Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Kalidou Koulibaly out of Stamford Bridge – as part of a huge fire sale that could bring in as much as £250m if United and Chelsea can reach an agreement.
Both teams will be eager to breach their impasse sooner rather than later, as both Ten Hag and Pochettino will be looking for clarity ahead of pre-season. The Argentine would prefer not to bring squad members with uncertain futures on Chelsea’s tour of the United States, but Mount has made himself available and stated he will give his all for the club while he remains under contract.
Ten Hag also wanted to get as much done before United’s own visit Stateside, but so far the club have failed to complete any business.
Mount would be a step in the right direction, though the Dutch boss also wants a new striker and defender in addition to David De Gea’s replacement with the Spanish goalkeeper seemingly on his way out of the club on a free transfer.
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