Manchester United are reportedly unwilling to pay in excess of £60m for Chelsea attacker Mason Mount.
The 24-year-old has allegedly been identified as a leading target for the Red Devils during this summer's transfer window, with head coach Erik ten Hag said to be a huge admirer of the Englishman.
There are expected to be midfield outgoings this summer, with Fred, Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek being linked with exits in the upcoming market.
Ten Hag is believed to be looking to use Mount as part of a midfield three with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, with Christian Eriksen taking on a more rotational role next term.
Mount only has another year left to run on his contract at Stamford Bridge, and the attacker has allegedly turned down the chance to pen an extension.
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The England international has reportedly decided to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with Arsenal and Liverpool also thought to be keen, but Man United are now the favourites to sign him.
There has been suggestions that Chelsea value Mount upwards of £70m despite the fact that his contract will expire next summer, but according to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Red Devils will not go above £60m.
"This is a high priority for Erik ten Hag, but Manchester United are adamant that they need to be disciplined with Mount, they need to try and get him for under £60m and that, as I've said before, is because Manchester United's transfer policy is restricted," Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT.
"And if they are to bring in a couple of early players, then they're going to have to try and distribute their budget to allow that to happen rather than using it all up on one player. And this is the frustration of Manchester United's early part of the summer.
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"Even with Champions League football, which will increase the budget, the financial fair play cycle that they are in and the ownership uncertainty are still going to make it relatively difficult for Manchester United to move comparative to some of their rivals."
Mount found it difficult to make his mark for Chelsea during the 2022-23 campaign, only managing three goals and six assists in 35 appearances in all competitions.
The attacker missed the end of the season following pelvic surgery, but he will be available to resume pre-season training, either with Chelsea or Man United, next month.
Mount had successful loan spells at Vitesse Arnhem and Derby County before becoming a first-team player for Chelsea in 2019.
The Englishman has now made 195 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, contributing 33 goals and 37 assists in the process, but his time at Stamford Bridge is seemingly coming to an end.
Matt Law
