Chelsea have immediately turned down Manchester United’s opening offer of £40million for Mason Mount.
United made their first offer for the England international on Wednesday, according to The Daily Telegraph, but it has fallen some way short of the London side’s valuation.
Chelsea have put a £70million price tag on the midfielder despite him having only one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.
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Mount has already rejected at least two new contract offers from the Blues with United confident that situation will not change.
The Red Devils are convinced Mount wants to join the club with reports suggesting personal terms have been agreed.
It remains to be seen whether United will return quickly with an improved bid or bide their time with Chelsea facing the dilemma of whether to lower their asking price or see Mount walk away for free next summer.
Mauricio Pochettino is eager to keep the player at the club but Mount currently has his sights set on a move away from the capital.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle all registered their interest in signing Mount with Jurgen Klopp eager to sign him after completing the signing of Alexis Mac Allister.
Liverpool cooled their interest after baulking at Chelsea’s £70m asking price.
Former United skipper Gary Neville meanwhile has questioned the club’s pursuit of Mount, believing there are more pressing needs in midfield.
‘I am surprised about the Mason Mount one to be honest with you,’ Neville told Metro.co.uk. ‘For the reported fee… he is a very good player, that isn’t a question for me.
‘But I look at the players United have got already in terms of Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Fred and Scott McTominay. Do I think Mason Mount is the player to go in and sort all that out? I’m not quite sure.
‘Mason Mount would be a very good addition to Manchester United’s squad, but it is a lot of money for a squad addition.’
