If Manchester United’s hardline stance over their bid for Mason Mount doesn’t draw Chelsea back to the table, then finding an alternative midfielder will be another challenge in what is proving to be a complicated transfer window.
United had hoped to make Mount their first signing of the summer and a move for the 24-year-old looked the easiest to do, with Erik ten Hag also keen on a goalkeeper and a striker. But circumstances have conspired against United.
Chelsea’s need to sell has eased following the imminent departures of Mateo Kovacic to Manchester City and Kai Havertz to Arsenal, while Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and Hakim Ziyech are all closing in on moves to Saudi Arabia. Chelsea needed to raise transfer funds by the end of June to balance the books and they have done just that.
