Manchester United’s £55m bid for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount remains on the table but an impasse in talks has led United to refocus on other targets, including Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot.
United are thought to be comfortable with their bid for Mount, which was rejected on Friday night, and at this stage do not feel the need to take up Chelsea’s offer of face-to-face talks.
Chelsea have made a counter-proposal of £58m plus £7m in add-ons in exchange for Mount, and are prepared to meet United in person to try and come to a positive resolution.
But an impasse in talks means United are now re-focusing on other targets with one of those being Brighton midfielder Caicedo.
Brighton’s Moises Caicedo is of interest to Man Utd
United also retain an interest in Juventus midfielder Rabiot, whose deal at the Italian club expires at the end of June.
The Frenchman came close to moving to Old Trafford last summer but one of the reasons the deal did not happen then was because Juventus could offer Champions League football, whereas United could not. However, after qualifying in the top four last season Man Utd will be in the competition next season.
Adrien Rabiot’s Juventus contract expires at the end of June
Mount is keen on Man Utd move
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The Sun’s Charlie Wyett believes that Manchester United will sign Mason Mount as the player ‘has his heart set on the club’
England international Mount has one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge and is understood to be keen on a move to Erik ten Hag’s side.
But it has been suggested United will not increase their £55m offer after their third bid was rejected. It was also understood United were open to negotiating if they received a positive response from Chelsea.
United must now decide if that response is positive enough to bring them back to the table or walk away and pursue alternative targets.
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The Transfer Show panel discuss Manchester United’s potential transfer targets including Mason Mount and Harry Kane
Due to Financial Fair Play rules, it is unlikely United could spend a huge portion of their budget on one player – especially as they have other areas they want to strengthen.
For that reason, they are looking at a number of other options in midfield. Potential sales of players would, however, increase their spending power.
The futures of captain Harry Maguire, Fred, Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial – among others – are being discussed internally. Fulham have shown an interest in Fred, but valuations are apart.
Meanwhile, a big priority for United this summer is recruiting at least one new striker.
Interest remains in Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund after initial contacts between the clubs. Interestingly, the 20-year-old is expected to change his representation.
Dea Gea’s Man Utd future ‘in the balance’
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Manchester United goalkeeping scout Tony Coton says that we all need to ‘watch this space’ regarding David de Gea’s future at the club
The future of Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea remains “in the balance”.
The 32-year-old will be out of contract next week and is on United’s released list while talks over a new deal continue.
It is understood the Spaniard and United are considering their options.
United have made initial contacts with Inter Milan over Andre Onana, and have looked at Brentford’s David Raya and Porto’s Diogo Costa.
While boss Ten Hag has publicly backed De Gea, he cannot guarantee he will be No 1 next season if he was to stay.
How Caicedo went from from tearful teenager in Ecuador to Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd target
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We look back at Moises Caicedo’s best moments in a Brighton shirt as the all-action midfielder is linked with a move away from the club
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright
“Graham Potter used him, successfully, as a left-sided No 8 at the start of the season following a transitional first year which included a loan spell in Belgium with Beerschot. But Roberto De Zerbi, Potter’s successor, dropped him back to the base of midfield, even deploying him, at times, as a makeshift right-back.
“Caicedo excelled wherever required, starting 34 of Brighton’s 38 Premier League games and playing a crucial role in the most successful season in the club’s history, the statistics helping to underline the extent of his influence in and out of possession.
“As a ball-winner, he is among the very best in the division.”
Read more of Nick Wright’s feature on Caicedo here
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