The true market value of Mason Mount has been revealed following reports that Manchester United have lowballed Chelsea with their opening bid. The 24-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with an exit from Chelsea recently, with his contract expiring at the end of next season.
The Blues were once close to reaching an agreement with Mount over a new deal, football.london understands, but, following his return from the World Cup in December, an offer was no longer on the table. Shortly into the new year, Chelsea reopened talks with the England international, though he didn't want to sign a one-year extension.
It's believed that Mount has not yet received an improved proposal since, meaning that he'll become a free agent at the end of next season. football.london understands that United, Liverpool and Arsenal are all seriously interested in signing the Cobham graduate, who reportedly has an eye-watering £70million price tag.
The Red Devils are said to be leading the race for Mount's signature, but a disparity in valuations has stalled negotiations. In fact, according to the Daily Mail, the west Londoners 'swiftly rejected' United's opening bid of £40million for the Englishman.
The report states that Mount is keen on a move to Old Trafford but Erik ten Hag's side will need to improve their offer in order to wrap up a deal. With either side desperate to come away with the better deal, questions regarding the midfielder's true transfer value have been asked.
Ironically, it seems as if both Chelsea and United need to swallow their pride and negotiate a fair fee. According to the CIES Football Observatory, Mount is currently valued at €60million (£51.3million).
To put that into context, with a year left on his deal, the Blues ace is priced by the experts at the same value as the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Alexis Mac Allister and Christopher Nkunku. Regardless of whether Mount is rubbing shoulders with some fellow greats, Andy Cole is adamant that United shouldn't sign him.
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In an interview with Punters.Pub, the former United striker said: "Would Manchester City look to bring in a player like Mason Mount to make them better?
"You've got to look at players and say, right: would Man City try and buy this player? Because if you're going to close the gap, you can't be buying players that are not going to improve you.
"That's the way I look at things. For Mount not to be getting in the Chelsea team, you have to think why that is. Because it's not as if Chelsea are pulling up any trees to keep hold of him."
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