Manchester United are set to walk away from negotiations with Chelsea for Mason Mount, with plans to hijack Brighton midfielder, Moises Caicedo.
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| Mount’s move to Old Trafford may be stalled |
With their ‘final’ bid for Mason Mount submitted and rejected on Friday, Manchester United have been reported to be unhappy with Chelsea's dealings and valuation of the Englishman and could be set to make a line for Chelsea target, Moises Caicedo.
With Mount consistently making his eagerness towards switching Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford clear and United maintaining their position on the valuation of the player, who is into his last contracted year at Chelsea, Chelsea have seemed like the shrewd stumbling block holding back the completion of the deal.
Manchester United have repeatedly noted that they wouldn't overpay for Mason Mount, who could leave on a free by 2024 and recent reports show that they could stand by that; as they now want to set their sights on Ecuadorian midfield prodigy, Moises Caicedo, after their recent £50 million (+ £5 million in add-ons) rejected by Chelsea, who countered with a £58 million (+ £7 million) offer.
Manchester United's £55m bid for Mason Mount remains "on the table". But deal has struck an "impasse". United re-focussing on other targets - Moises Caicedo (Chelsea target intriguingly) is one of a number they are looking at. #MUFC #CFC https://t.co/k5H57FRMKU
— Dharmesh Sheth (@skysports_sheth) June 24, 2023
United have emerged as the extravagant victims of the inflated transfer market, with most clubs always milking them for more money with less valued players (most recently, the £85 million spent to acquire Antony from Ajax Amsterdam). But they want to correct the precedent this time.
The hierarchy at the club are now very well aware of this phenomenon, which has been termed the “Manchester United tax”, the club's inability to sell players for good value, as well as the present FIFA Financial Fair Play budget restrictions they find themselves in and wouldn't want to keep the trend going.
Hence their recent strong will in negotiations this summer with the deals of Harry Kane (not progressing with Spurs’ valuation and Daniel Levy's negotiation antics), Rasmus Hojlund (declaring that they wouldn't progress with any high valuations), and now Mason Mount (postulating that a £55 million is good for a player into the last year of his contract and unwilling to extend).
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| United want to do some wise business this summer |
Chelsea, on the other hand, have done some good business this summer with the sales of Havertz and Kovacic to Arsenal and City respectively, as well as the “shipping off” of their old lads to Saudi Arabia. But they believe that Manchester United would have to pay at least up to what they (Chelsea) paid for Raheem Sterling (£65 million), who was also in the last year of his contract before they signed him.
The deal now seems to be in a deadlock, with United reportedly leaving the last £55 million offer on the table for Chelsea whilst turning towards Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder, Moises Caicedo, as they do not want to be drawn into a long transfer saga like that of last summer.
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| Caicedo is on United’s radar |