Manchester United still want to sign Mason Mount - and they are willing to get round the table with Chelsea to finalise a deal.
The Blues have rejected three bids from United for Mount, 24, include their latest offer of £55million. Chelsea want £65m (£58m up front) for the England international, who has just a year remaining on his contract and is struggling to agree an extension.
All parties want to reach a decision on the matter before pre-season, which starts next month. Chelsea told United they were willing to negotiate Mount's transfer after rejecting their £55m bid and it now appears the Red Devils have accepted that olive branch.
Mount is one of the most exciting midfielders in England after graduating from Chelsea's academy and winning their Player of the Year award twice. He's won the Champions League, European Super Cup and Club World Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.
As reported by The Telegraph, United and Chelsea will hold face-to-face talks to negotiate a transfer. It's unclear whether these talks will be in person or via a video call, but the Red Devils have had enough of Chelsea rejecting their offers.
United manager Erik ten Hag wants to add Mount to his squad ahead of their pre-season campaign, which starts against bitter rivals Leeds in Oslo on July 12. They also have games in Edinburgh and Dublin, as well as a tour of the United States.
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United also want to avoid a repeat of their failed pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. Ten Hag's recruitment team spent much of last summer trying to sign the Netherlands international, only for the player to say no.
Chelsea also want Mount's future resolved early to help Mauricio Pochettino. The incoming Blues manager will not want to start working with a player, only for him to be sold a week or so later. And Mount will want to know where his long-term future lies.
It's believed Mount is not totally against signing a new contract and could be persuaded to put pen to paper if he becomes a key member of Pochettino's squad. He has also not submitted a transfer request in a bid to force a move to Old Trafford.
Pochettino's predecessor at Stamford Bridge, Frank Lampard, was asked about Mount's future last month. He 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."
