Man Utd ‘threat’ is met with Chelsea ‘counter-proposal’ as third Mason Mount bid turned down

Chelsea have issued a counter-proposal to Manchester United after they rejected the Red Devils’ third bid for Mason Mount.

The England international is open to leaving Stamford Bridge this summer with Old Trafford his desired destination with just 12 months remaining on his Chelsea deal.

David Ornstein of The Athletic reports a third bid worth £55m - a £50m fee plus £5m in add-ons - was rejected by Chelsea who have told United a £58m fee plus £7m in adds-on will be enough to secure Mount’s signature.

Mount had held talks with a number of clubs, including Liverpool, with reports earlier this year it would cost £70m for the Stamford Bridge club to sanction a move.

The counter-proposal would make the deal worth a potential £65m and it remains to be seen if there will be any further progress after Sky Sports reported on Friday United’s third offer would be their final one.

It is further claimed United have started looking at alternative targets as they appear unwilling to stretch to Chelsea’s asking price with Mount entering the final 12 months of his deal.

BBC Sport report United believe Chelsea’s asking price to be ‘excessive’ with Mount believed to be keen on a move to Old Trafford, having also held talks over personal terms with rivals Liverpool.

United are yet to bolster their squad following their qualification for the Champions League. Mount won the competition with Chelsea in 2021, starting in the final as the Blues beat Man City 1-0 in Porto.

Mount came through the academy at Stamford Bridge and has been capped 36 times by England while spending time on loan with Dutch side Vitesse as well as Derby County in the Championship.

He has made 195 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 33 goals and providing 37 assists and will help provide more attacking threat for Ten Hag if a deal can be agreed.