Man United to drop interest in Mount and rival Chelsea for Caicedo

Manchester United have dropped their interest in Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount after seeing their third proposal for the Englishman rejected.

According to The Times, the Red Devils will switch their attention to other options, including Chelsea target Moises Caicedo after negotiations for Mount reached an impasse.

Man United’s last proposal was for £50 million, with an additional £5 million in add-ons, but Chelsea made a counter-offer of £58m, supplemented by £7m in add-ons.

The Blues had initially quoted £70m for Mount but dropped their asking price slightly after the midfielder made it clear he had no interest in signing a new deal.

Mount reportedly has his heart set on a move to Old Trafford and is prepared to run down his contract with Chelsea to leave on a free transfer at the end of next season.

Despite the player’s defiance, Chelsea are unwilling to lower their demands below £65m – a figure Man United consider unrealistic with the player entering the final 12 months of his contract.

Man United will reportedly leave their last proposal on the table in case Chelsea budge on their stance. But for now, they are prepared to move for other targets, including Caicedo.

The Red Devils hold a long-standing interest in the Ecuador international, but Chelsea are believed to be leading the race for his signature.

The 21-year-old is also admired by Arsenal, but the Gunners are focused on other targets, including West Ham United captain Declan Rice and Chelsea forward Kai Havertz.

Brighton are resigned to losing Caicedo this summer but will demand more than £80m to part ways with the highly sought-after defensive midfielder.

Man United would reportedly be more comfortable forking out that amount to snap up the Ecuadorian, considering he has four years left on his contract with the Seagulls.

Man United will also be stepping up efforts to sign a new striker with Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani atop their refreshed shortlist.