Transfer: Chelsea lower asking price for Mason Mount

Chelsea have reduced their asking price for Manchester United target, Mason Mount.

This was after the England international reiterated that he would not sign a new deal to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United had their first and second bids for the player turned down by the Blues, but the Red Devils are now expected to return with an improved offer.

Their second bid was around £45 million with £5 million of add-ons, which was short of Chelsea’s initial £75m asking price.

Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano now reports that Mount has told the west London side following United’s second bid that he has absolutely no intention of extending his deal at the club.

The player’s current deal expires in 2024 and the England midfielder could sign a pre-contract agreement with non-English clubs from January 1st.

According to Metro, the Blues are now ready to accept a fee closer to £60m but that would be the upper limit of where United would be prepared to go.

Erik ten Hag has other targets in midfield and given United’s budget of around £120m, the club cannot afford to spend over half of that on a midfielder