Manchester United DROP interest in Mason Mount and prepare bid for £80m midfielder

Manchester United have dropped their interest in Mason Mount after Chelsea rejected their third bid for the English midfielder on Thursday evening.

The Red Devils had upped their offer to £50 million plus £5 million in add-ons, but the west London side countered with a package worth £65 million, which is considered too expensive by United.

Jonathan Northcroft of The Times reported that United are focusing on other midfield targets, with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo top of their list, after reaching an impasse in negotiations with Chelsea.

Caicedo, 21, is a player that United have had a longstanding interest in. The club have been maintaining a dialogue with his representatives while going for Mount and will now intensify efforts to explore a deal.

Brighton are believed to value the Ecuadorean at around £80 million — considerably more than the £58 million plus £7 million add-ons Chelsea are demanding for Mount — but United are prepared to take into account the Ecuadorean’s younger age and radically different contract situation.

Although, the aforementioned report did add that United are sympathetic for Mount, who had agreed personal terms with the Old Trafford club. The Reds have left their £55 million offer on the table and there could be future compromise with Chelsea if they are willing to lower their asking price.

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This news was followed up by reports from talkSPORT and Sky Sports, who both mentioned United’s interest in Caicedo alongside the fact that The Reds are focusing on alternative targets to Mount.

Meanwhile, Nathan Gissing added that Mount’s preference was to remain at Chelsea, but he felt he was getting forced out and that the current feeling is that it’s unlikely contract talks re-open.

That could potentially open the door to United perusing a deal for the 24-year-old on a free transfer next year if a compromise is not made this summer.