Your morning Chelsea digest on Sunday, June 4.
Man Utd make Mason Mount transfer move as Arsenal and Liverpool fall behind in Chelsea race
Manchester United have taken a big step towards completing the signing of Chelsea star Mason Mount this summer. A report from The Times has now revealed that Erik ten Hag's side have opened talks with the Blues as they look to thrash out a deal to sign Mount ahead of next season.
United are yet to make an official offer for Mount, but senior figures at Old Trafford have begun discussions with Chelsea and made clear their desire to sign the England international. The west Londoners do not want to sell Mount, who is valued at £70million, but insiders believe his desire is to leave Stamford Bridge with one year remaining on his contract.
The report adds that Chelsea insiders say salary and bonuses proved to be the major sticking point. There have been three offers that would have increased Mount’s pay to be in line with the highest earners at the club.
READ MORE: Nkunku arrives, Vlahovic signs: Mauricio Pochettino's dream Chelsea attack after £140m transfer
Chelsea submit improved Manuel Ugarte offer as Mauricio Pochettino pursues £52m transfer
Chelsea have submitted an improved salary offer to Manuel Ugarte as Mauricio Pochettino looks to complete his first signing at Stamford Bridge. The Sporting CP midfielder is admired by Pochettino and the Blues are actively looking to sign the Uruguayan.
Chelsea have now increased their salary offer to Ugarte after tabling an opening proposal of a £2million wage package, according to Record. The Blues have now offered a €3.5million (£3million) salary with various performance-based incentives and bonuses.
This comes after Record reported that Paris Saint-Germain had offered the 22-year-old a salary of €5million (£4.3million). Chelsea's increased offer is still some way short of the Parisians', yet Ugarte currently favours a move to west London over Paris.
Chelsea hold crucial bargaining chip over Arsenal in Moises Caicedo transfer race
Chelsea and Arsenal are set to fight over the signing of Brighton talent Moises Caicedo this summer. The two London clubs both had offers for the 21-year-old rejected by the Seagulls during the January transfer window.
A report from The Guardian states that the Blues could hold a key advantage over the Gunners when it comes to negotiating a deal for Caicedo. Chelsea may be willing to offer Levi Colwill a return to the Amex Stadium on loan for a second season after the young defender enjoyed an impressive spell with De Zerbi's side in the 2022/23 campaign.
Pochettino is planning for Colwill to be a part of Chelsea's first team next season - but with plenty of options at centre-back already, it may be wise to allow the youngster to leave on loan once again and continue his development. The player's stance on another loan move away from Stamford Bridge is still unclear, but a return to Brighton may be of interest to Colwill who is attracting interest from Liverpool and Manchester City.
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