According to reports, a third bid from Man Utd for Chelsea and England midfielder Mason Mount is “imminent” and this is expected to be their “final” offer.
Mount – who is understood to be valued at around £70m – is out of contract in 2024 and it has become increasingly clear over the past few months that he will leave Chelsea this summer.
Liverpool were initially in the running to sign the England international, but it later emerged that he is ‘leaning towards’ a move to Old Trafford.
Man Utd are desperate to sign one or two new strikers, but Mount is another key target and they have already had two bids rejected for the centre-midfielder.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano is now reporting that “United are set to submit third official bid in excess of £55m for Mount” and this is “going to be the final proposal”.
Romano claims Mount has already “agreed personal terms” with Man Utd, while Ben Jacobs has indicated that the Premier League giants always intended to try to sign Mount “for under £60m”.
“Manchester United’s third bid for Mason Mount is imminent and is expected to be over £55m,” Jacobs tweeted.
“As revealed in May, #MUFC aim was always try and sign Mount for under £60m. #MUFC now hoping Chelsea are more flexible on price after Mount told them he wants the move.
“There is still optimism a deal can be struck, with all parties wanting the situation resolved quickly. Even though Mauricio Pochettino would like Mount to stay he does not have a new contract offer to consider having rejected previous ones.”
READ MORE: Man Utd takeover… State ownership with Qatar must be better than the Glazers clinging on…
Former United forward Dimitar Berbatov has explained why he thinks Mount would be a “good option” for the Red Devils.
“Mauricio [Pochettino will want to speak to all the players in the squad and see where they are mentally and whether they want to commit to doing their best for Chelsea next season. Decisions will be made once these conversations are held,” Berbatov told Betfred.
“Ultimately, I believe Pochettino would like to keep Mason at Chelsea because he’s a good player. If not, then if Mason decides to join Manchester United, then I believe he would be a good option in their squad.
“People will say that Manchester United already have Bruno Fernandes in Mason’s position, but the season is a marathon and Manchester United will be competing in the Premier League, the Champions League and the other cup competitions, so you need a lot of quality in your squad if you’re going to compete on all fronts.”
READ MORE: Onana, Costa, Pickford? Nine contenders to replace David De Gea as next Man Utd goalkeeper
