Chelsea have rejected Manchester United's third bid for Mason Mount - but are willing to meet in person to discuss the transfer.
United's latest offer for the England international, 24, was £55million, but Chelsea are holding out for £65m (£58m up front, £7m in add-ons). There is now a chance Erik ten Hag will walk away from the transfer, as United's third bid was supposed to be their last.
Mount has just a year remaining on his existing deal and Chelsea are willing to sell him - but only for the right price. The Blues hope their proposed meeting with United's recruitment team will help all parties reach a solution on the matter before pre-season.
Ten Hag is an admirer of Mount after trying to sign him on loan from Chelsea as Ajax manager five years ago. United want to get their transfer business done early this summer after being drawn into a long-running saga to sign Frenkie de Jong this time last year.
United ultimately failed to sign De Jong from Barcelona and are determined to learn from their mistakes. Chelsea's desire to get Mount's future resolved before pre-season, which starts next month, is likely to please United's recruitment team.
Mount is one of England's most exciting internationals after being named as Chelsea's Player of the Year twice. He has won the Champions League, European Super Cup and Club World Cup with the Blues, as well as reach three FA Cup finals.
Mount is a product of Chelsea's academy but is one of the lowest-paid players at Chelsea. Blues chair Todd Boehly has tried to negotiate a new contract with the midfielder since his consortium completed a takeover a year ago, but has failed to do so.
Departing Chelsea interim manager Frank Lampard was asked about Mount's future last month. Lampard, who also coached Mount during his loan spell at Derby, will be succeeded by Mauricio Pochettino on a permanent basis next month.
Lampard said: "It's a hard one for me to comment on because I'm not inside Mason's head and from the club's point of view my role is clearly what it is. In the practical sense it's completely between both sides on that front.
"I'm not surprised because this is football. Does everyone know that I really like Mason Mount as a lad and as a football player? Yes, sure, of course they do.
"I wish him the best personally and sitting here with my Chelsea top on now, I've seen what Mason has delivered at this club. But we'll see... of course in an ideal world those players stay with the club, but again in modern football it isn't always that clear."
Chelsea have signed a number of players since Boehly's consortium completed a takeover a year ago, limiting space in the first-team squad. Midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Carney Chukwuemeka are among those that have moved to Stamford Bridge.
