Manchester United have been dealt a huge blow to their hopes of signing Mason Mount this summer. The 24-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with an exit from Chelsea recently, with his contract at Stamford Bridge expiring in 12 months
football.london understands that the Blues were close to reaching an agreement over a new deal before the World Cup in December but, following Mount's return from Qatar, an offer was no longer on the table. Then, towards the end of January, the west Londoners reopened talks with the England international, though he didn't want to sign a one-year extension.
Since the start of the year, it's understood that Mount has not received another proposal meaning that he's set to become a free agent at the end of next season. With a summer switch on the cards, football.london understands that United, Liverpool and Arsenal are all seriously interested in signing the Cobham graduate
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Erik ten Hag's side are said to be leading the race to secure Mount's signature. In fact, according to The Telegraph, the Red Devils have agreed personal terms with the Englishman, but the Blues seem determined to drive a hard bargain.
The Daily Mail reports that United and Chelsea are still very far apart in their valuations of Mount. The report states that Ten Hag's side value the midfielder at around £55million while the Blues price him closer to £85million.
It's said that, while there is a significant discrepancy, there is a willingness from both parties to work on a deal. Until then, Mount will remain a Chelsea player.
Earlier this month, Frank Lampard told Sky Sports that he didn't know how the Blues planned on keeping Mount. The former caretaker manager said: "I think that’s a difficult situation because from working with Mason - and not just Mason, other players when I was here before - they have either gone on to be really important players for the club that have a real relationship with the fans because they really feel the club, having been in the academy since eight years of age, and some of them have gone on to other clubs and the club have done well out of that and you wish them well in their careers.
"I think with Mason particularly as an individual, I don’t know what the solution is going to be because it’s the club and Mason’s issue. I don’t know where exactly Mason is at personally, he’s got a year left on his contract.
"I know he’s held in high regard at the club and I know the club are trying to do what they can to make him stay, but I also think that Mason, I’d never want to stand here in the modern day and talk about what a player should do because they’ll see it all from their own eyes.
"I think in the old days it would be why are you leaving the club? In the modern day it’s you should move on, and we’ve got into this situation that is happening now."
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