June 24th 2023.
The Red Devils are growing frustrated with Chelsea's stance on Mason Mount, and have decided to move onto a new midfield target instead. On Friday night, the west London club rejected United's third and final offer for the contract rebel, which was worth £50million up front plus £5m in add-ons.
Chelsea countered with a proposal worth £65m, a fee United are simply unwilling to pay. The Red Devils' hierarchy had made it clear they would walk away from a deal if Chelsea continued to play hardball and they have been true to their word despite an offer to meet in person.
According to The Times, United have now dropped their pursuit of Mount and will push ahead with a move for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo instead. United are thought to be annoyed with the way Chelsea have approached negotiations over Mount, particularly their regular press briefings, and feel they are being charged a 'Manchester United tax'.
They pointed to Manchester City's imminent deal for Mateo Kovacic, which is worth £25m up front and £5m in add-ons - less than half what they want for Mount despite both players being in the final years of their contracts. United feel Caicedo is worth the £80m fee Brighton will demand.
Caicedo is significantly more expensive than Mount and is likely to cost around £80m, but United feel that is a fairer fee for a player who recently signed a contract extension until 2028. He is also three years younger than Mount and United feel a fee in the region of £80m would be justified for a player with enormous potential on a long-term deal.
United will, however, leave their £55m offer for Mount on the table should Chelsea have a change of heart over their stance. If no other clubs come in for the England international this summer, the Blues risk losing their academy graduate for nothing next summer while he can open talks with foreign clubs from January onwards.
They will not have much time to decide on whether they will soften their stance, however, with United keen to wrap up transfer business quickly and avoid any long, drawn-out sagas. Manager Erik ten Hag is a big fan of Mount but agrees with United's hierarchy about not overpaying for players, and is happy to move onto Caicedo instead.
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