Manchester United can learn transfer lesson from Man City in Mason Mount chase

Who'd have thought Mason Mount's future would wind up being the transfer saga of the summer?

Before the transfer window swung open it looked like for all the world that Jude Bellingham's destination would dominate the headlines but the midfield prodigy already had his mind made up. It seems that no other club came under consideration and Real Madrid was the only move for him.

Instead, it's fellow England midfielder Mount who is seeing his future dragged out throughout the off-season and his name in the headlines every day. Having accepted they had no chance of signing Bellingham or Frenkie de Jong early on, Manchester United made the Chelsea star their top midfield target.

Though a new striker is also a big priority, Erik ten Hag wants more quality in the middle of the park to lessen the burden on Casemiro and Christian Eriksen given their current backup options in Fred, Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek are not good enough. Personal terms were agreed with Mount weeks ago but getting a deal agreed with Chelsea is proving difficult.

Also read: What United board members will decide at the AGM

United have seen three bids rejected for the 24-year-old with the highest totalling £55million but the London club are holding out for £65million. That is a massive fee for a player in the final year of his contract and one that, while very talented and seemingly a good fit for Old Trafford, has not been in top form for a while.

United are growing frustrated with Chelsea and though the third offer remains on the table they have begun to seek alternatives. Sadly, that pool is looking rather dry. Adrien Rabiot appeared to be a potential option on a free but he has surprisingly extended his contract with Juventus and Moises Caicedo