Chelsea have managed to get a sulking Man Utd talking over the Mount deal again, while Ten Hag could hijack Liverpool in a swoop for two further midfielders.
MOUNT PROGRESS
Manchester United have had three bids for Mason Mount turned down by Chelsea but have agreed to go back to the negotiating table to get a deal done for the England international.
United’s latest bid worth £55m was turned down by the Blues, who made a counter-offer of ‘£60m plus £7m in add-ons’.
That left United more than a tad angry at their negotiating tactics over a player with just a year left on his contract and they threatened to walk away from the deal, perhaps to instead pursue Chelsea target Moises Caicedo.
That appeared to have sparked Chelsea into action and they’ve managed to persuade United back for ‘direct talks’ over Mount this week.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano tweeted: ‘Understand Chelsea and Manchester United are prepared for direct contact this week to make final decision on Mason Mount deal. #MUFC
‘Direct club to club talks will take place within 24/48h to understand how to proceed. Man United £55m bid remains valid… but not forever.’
READ MORE: Would Mason Mount even be welcome at Chelsea? Fabrizio Romano embroiled in the ‘Mount PR’ saga
A DIFFERENT DE JONG
Zidane Iqbal’s £850k move to FC Ultrecht this week may have opened the door to United doing further business with the Dutch club.
Erik ten Hag and his United staff were reportedly unconvinced that Iqbal was ready for the physicality of the Premier League but haven’t ruled out his return in future, insisting on a buy-back clause in his contract.
But a player who may well be ready now for the rigours of Premier League football, certainly in the eyes of Ten Hag, is USMNT midfielder Taylor Booth, who’s impressed for the Eredivisie outfit this season.
It’s thought Ultrecht value the 22-year-old at around £11m, offering United a relatively cheap option which could be attractive given the uncertainty of their ownership and budget constraints.
As The People’s Person report ‘the American, who was groomed in Bayern Munich’s academy, has drawn comparisons with another object of Ten Hag’s admiration, Frenkie de Jong’.
VIGO’S VEIGA
Another midfielder on Ten Hag’s wishlist is reportedly Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga, who’s caught the eye of a number of European giants through his displays last season.
The 21-year-old registered 11 goals and four assists in La Liga with Real Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea all thought to be tempted by his £34m release clause.
Reports earlier this year suggesting United were ‘keeping tabs’ and The People’s Person claim they could now step up their interest.
As of now there have been no bids for Veiga, but he is expected to leave Celta Vigo this summer.
