Bayern Munich are stepping up their interest in Mason Mount and attempting to capitalise on Manchester United’s struggle to agree a fee with Chelsea for the midfielder.
United have had three bids rejected for Mount, who has a year left on his contract, and are weighing up whether to walk away from negotiations. They believe that Chelsea’s £65m valuation of the 24-year-old is too high and are ready to look at other midfield targets, with Brighton’s Moisés Caicedo high on Erik ten Hag’s wishlist.
Chelsea’s refusal to accept United’s latest offer of £50m plus £5m in add-ons has opened the door for other clubs to enter the bidding. Thomas Tuchel, Bayern’s manager, coached Mount at Chelsea and is a huge admirer of his talents. Mount played some of the best football of his career under Tuchel and Bayern are trying to hijack United’s move for the England midfielder. There is a possibility of Chelsea accepting a lower fee from a foreign club.
It remains to be seen whether Mount would be willing to leave England, though the chance to play for the German champions would hold an obvious appeal. Bayern are rebuilding after disappointing in the Champions League last season and are looking to back Tuchel. They are look likely to miss out on another of Tuchel’s former players, Kai Havertz, who is heading for Arsenal.
Chelsea initially set an asking price of £70m plus add ons for Mount, but United deemed that demand unrealistic given the player’s contract is running down. United have noted that Chelsea are selling the Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic to Manchester City for £25m plus £5m in add-ons. Kovacic is five years older than Mount.
United’s third bid was met by a counter-offer from Chelsea, who suggested a fee of £58m plus £7m in add-ons. Sources suggested that United would look to meet somewhere in the middle. If they walk away it would raise the prospect of Mount leaving Chelsea on a free transfer next summer.
Mount, who has also been targeted by Arsenal and Liverpool, has indicated that he does not want to sign an extension and he will be able to sign a pre-contract with a foreign club from January.
United could rival Chelsea for Caicedo, who will be allowed to leave Brighton for the right price this summer. Chelsea have been in talks with Brighton over the 21-year-old Ecuador midfielder.
