Manchester United have tabled a third bid worth £55m for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount.
The London club have rejected the offer - thought to be £50m plus £5m in potential add-ons - and are said to be wanting £58m plus £7m in add-ons. Chelsea have now rejected three bids for Mount, the second of which comprised an initial £45m with £5m in add-ons.
United have already agreed personal terms with the England international but are reluctant to pay over the odds for a player who is out of contract in 12 months.
The Manchester Evening News understands that they have cited the £47m Chelsea paid for Raheem Sterling last summer when he had a year remaining on his Manchester City deal as a reference.
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Erik ten Hag wishes to complete a deal swiftly so he can concentrate on other targets with a striker and goalkeeper wanted, with well-placed sources indicating they believe a deal can still quickly be agreed.
The 24-year-old won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, having also featured in three FA Cup finals and started in the Euro 2020 final.
The takeover uncertainty at United is said not to be affecting transfer plans this summer despite ambiguity over what budget there is to play with. The Reds are expected to see more departures than arrivals this summer.
Exits will fund some arrivals as United try to stay within Financial Fair Play rules following last summer’s £225m spend. Ten Hag has already held talks with Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund after Tottenham indicated their stubbornness over an exit for top target Harry Kane.
Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt is also on the club’s radar while Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos, Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus and Napoli star Victor Osimhen are all also of interest.
Meanwhile, David de Gea looks increasingly likely to leave after negotiations over reduced terms took a turn. United have an interest in Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and have been linked with the likes of Champions League final goalkeeper Andre Onana of Inter.
