Manchester United have cooled their interest in signing Chelsea star Mason Mount after seeing a third bid rejected for the England international. Erik ten Hag prioritised a move for the Blues midfielder this summer but is now pursuing alternative targets after having a £55million offer turned down by Chelsea.
The Blues have demanded a £65million fee to allow Mount to leave Stamford Bridge as he enters the final 12 months of his contract. The 24-year-old and his entourage thought they were close to an agreement and extending his current deal prior to the World Cup, but when he arrived back from Qatar, the offer was no longer on the table.
There has not been a renewed effort to extend Mount's deal since February despite Todd Boehly meeting with the player to reiterate his importance to the club. Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Arsenal remain interested in signing Mount - but United are the only side to submit an offer for the 24-year-old.
A report from The Athletic has now stated that Ten Hag's side have made contact with Moises Caicedo and Adrien Rabiot's representatives as they turn their attention to alternative targets after talks to sign Mount have proved difficult. football.london understands Chelsea are pushing to sign Caicedo this summer as Mauricio Pochettino looks to bring in a new central midfielder to partner Enzo Fernandez.
N'Golo Kante has already left Stamford Bridge after securing a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad. Mateo Kovacic is closing in on a move to Premier League champions Manchester City - whilst Conor Gallagher could also leave the club this summer.
Therefore, midfield reinforcements are required and Caicedo appears to top the list for the Blues. However, their stance on Mount's departure could see United now hijack a deal for the Ecuador international.
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Rabiot is another player being discussed by United with the Frenchman's contract at Juventus set to expire at the end of this month. The 28-year-old came close to a move to Old Trafford last summer but the club were unable to agree personal terms with him.
Mount was coy over his future when asked if he is joining United this summer during his trip to the Spanish Grand Prix. Reports have stated that the 24-year-old prefers a move to Old Trafford after agreeing personal terms with United - but now a move is at risk due to Chelsea's £65million price demand with Ten Hag beginning to look elsewhere.
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