Man Utd are frustrated with Chelsea as they continue negotiations with their Premier League rivals over a potential deal for Mason Mount, according to reports.
The Red Devils are looking to build on a solid first season under Erik ten Hag, which saw them win the Carabao Cup, reach the FA Cup final and finish third in the Premier League.
There are reports that Man Utd will provide Ten Hag with £120m to spend, plus any money raised through departures, while the potential takeover of the club has thrown added doubt on their ability to spend big this summer.
Mount has emerged as one of their priority targets with the Chelsea playmaker about to enter the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge after making no progress in contract negotiations.
The England international had a disappointing season, like most of the Chelsea squad that finished 12th in the Premier League, providing just three goals and two assists in 24 Premier League matches.
But Man Utd have been pressing ahead with their interest in Mount with the Red Devils making their third bid, worth around £55m, on Friday.
READ MORE: Man Utd are not serious people if they entertain Chelsea’s Mount counter…
Man Utd had already made bids of around £40m and £50m and their latest offer was also rejected by the Blues, who want a deal worth around £65m.
The Manchester Evening News claim the Red Devils are ‘unhappy with Chelsea’ and Man Utd football director John Murtough has ‘taken a dim view of Chelsea’s strategy of communicating United’s bids through the club’s dedicated correspondents in London’.
There are doubts that Man United will be able to increase their offer with sources informing the MEN that Murtough’s ‘hands are tied’ because of their current financial situation.
With Mount ready to leave and only having one year left on his deal at Stamford Bridge, Man Utd believe that Chelsea are ‘overvaluing’ the 24-year-old.
The MEN add:
‘If United opt to walk away from Mount, they have at least four other midfield targets to turn to. Well-placed sources say any addition would be “acceptable” but Mount is manager Erik ten Hag’s preferred option.’
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor thinks Man Utd should move on from the Mount saga as “he’s worth £40m maximum”.
“I’d honestly say he’s worth £40m maximum,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.
“If Chelsea ask for much more than that, I think Man United should put the phone down – because they aren’t being serious.
“Mount has been out of form, his stats aren’t great. Chelsea don’t want to give him a new contract, so surely it suits them to sell him?
“Man United should pull out if they can’t get something sorted, and that leaves Chelsea stuck with a player who is going to be available for free.
“I think Chelsea will have to stop being stubborn later in this window. £40m is about right, but even that is a lot of money for someone who has been out of form.”
