Mount, Caicedo, Rabiot - where Manchester United stand on possible midfield signings

Manchester United's third bid for midfielder Mason Mount remains on the table, but the club are looking at alternatives after becoming frustrated with Chelsea's approach.

United made a third offer worth an initial £50million for Mount last week, with a further £5million due in add-ons, but Chelsea have now rejected every bid for the 24-year-old, who is out of contract next summer.

The Blues are holding out for £65million for the England international and have told United they would accept £58million, with £7million in add-ons. They have also suggested holding face-to-face talks to try and resolve the impasse.

But United have consistently said they have a limit when it comes to signing Mount, who wants to join the club and could leave Chelsea for free next summer. While the third offer remains available to Chelsea, they have no plans to hold face-to-face talks.

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United have already seen bids worth £45million and £50million rejected by Chelsea and there is frustration at their stance, given Mount's contract situation.

They dealt quickly to agree a £25million fee with Manchester City for Mateo Kovacic, who was also out of contract next summer, and last year paid City £47.5million for Raheem Sterling, who was in the same situation as Mount.

While Erik ten Hag has made Mount his top priority, having admired the midfielder since his loan spell with Vitesse Arnhem in the Eredivisie in 2017/18, he is accepting of the situation and United are now looking at alternative targets.

That includes Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, who United tried to sign in January 2021 while he was still playing in Ecuador for Independiente del Valle, only to walk away