Manchester United have seen a £40m opening bid turned down for primary summer target Mason Mount as Chelsea hold firm for 70m to let the England midfielder leave.
Mount has long been set for a move to Old Trafford this summer, with personal terms already thought to have been agreed with the Cobham academy graduate to make the switch as he looks for a move away from Stamford Bridge.
With just one year left on his contract in west London and having rejected several offers of a renewal, Chelsea are happy to let him leave but will demand a hefty £70m to allow him to do so as they look to use the funds to balance their books and improve their own squad after finishing 12th last season.
As per the Telegraph, United made their first concrete offer to the Blues for Mount on Wednesday, but it ‘fell well short of Chelsea’s valuation’ of the player and was rejected immediately.
However, Erik ten Hag’s side are ‘confident the 24-year-old will not sign a new deal’ at Stamford Bridge, which will only strengthen their negotiating hand in the weeks and months before the transfer window slams shut on September 1st.
A midfielder is the top priority for Manchester United this summer, with a striker a very close second as they look to build on a season which ended with a trophy and the club back in the Champions League.
Should they be able to get their vital business done early, a goalkeeper and a right back could also be targetted, with a backup centre-back also on the agenda should Harry Maguire choose to leave this summer.
