Chelsea could price Mason Mount out of move as £50m Manchester United bid knocked back

Chelsea have rejected Manchester United’s latest bid of £50million for Mason Mount, raising fears at Old Trafford that they will miss out on one of their key targets.

United manager Erik ten Hag has made Mount his top summer transfer target but their latest offer of £45m plus £5m in add-ons has been turned down.

Mount is keen to join United this summer but fears he could be priced out of a move.

Chelsea are demanding £70m for the 24-year-old, who has just one year remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues increasingly look willing to risk losing Mount for free next summer. He is reluctant to sign a new contract after a breakdown of his relationship with members of the club’s hierarchy.

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New head coach Mauricio Pochettino is keen to work with Mount next season but is willing to Chelsea sporting directors decide the best approach.

Chelsea’s position in negotiations over Mount has been strengthened after a £30m fee was agreed with Manchester City for Mateo Kovacic, while a £65m fee has also been agreed with Arsenal for Kai Havertz as they bid to offload players to help balance the books and reduce the size of their squad.

A host of fringe talent could soon join the Saudi Arabian leagues for transfer fees, including Hakim Ziyech, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy.