As the summer transfer window continues to approach steadily, several clubs are already ensuring their summer transfer targets are captured and deals concluded.
However, Manchester United still appeared to be in a state of indecisiveness in their transfer plans, partly due to the takeover race happening at the club.
The Red Devils summer transfer plans and targets are vivid, plus team manager Erik Ten Hag is crystal clear with his demands as to the type of player he needs during the upcoming summer transfer window, but it appears all to be stalled by the incident regarding new ownership.
Regardless, a number of transfer targets appear to be in place for their deals to be sanctioned and concluded before they make their moves to Old Trafford. With a striker priority in mind, Atlanta's Rasmus Hojlund appears to be a transfer move that will be concluded as soon as the summer transfer window opens. Kim Min Jae's deal could as well follow up imminently, but the Mason transfer is allegedly causing a serious headache for the Red Devils as Chelsea appears to want more than they are willing to offer in terms of transfer fees.
Personal terms with the Cobham graduate have been reached, according to multiple sources, but Chelsea's €80 million price tag is something the 20-time Premier League Champions aren't ready to meet.
While the hullabaloo surrounding the midfielder's potential move to Old Trafford might not be ending anytime soon, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has urged Manchester United to switch their focus to hijacking Declan Rice's deal from Arsenal.
West Ham had already affirmed that they would allow the 24-year-old to leave following a memorable campaign that saw him lift the Europa League as team captain with the Hammers. Their first trophy in over 30 years
West Ham chairman David Sullivan told TalkSports in an interview, "I think it has to be [Rice's final game for West Ham]—we promised him he could go. He set his heart on going."
"You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season. In due course, he has to get on, and we have to get a replacement—or several replacements."
"It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000 a week 18 months ago. He turned it down. It cost him £10 million to stay at West Ham during that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there."
Reports flying around claim Arsenal are close to signing the England international for a mammoth fee of €100 million; although Man United were interested, they haven't made any serious approach for the midfielder.
While Jamie Carragher admitted Mason Mount's arrival will be crucial for Erik Ten Hag's midfield, he alleged that a move for Declan Rice is better. "Mason Mount is an upgrade on [Christian] Eriksen in terms of where he plays," Carragher told Metro.
"Going back to Declan Rice, United are one of the few teams at the top who don’t play 4-3-3. It’s usually two midfielders with Bruno Fernandes."
"Declan Rice and Mason Mount are very different players, and it shouldn’t be one or the other, but when you look at what Manchester United have got right now, I actually think Declan Rice would be a better fit for them. A lot more expensive, of course."
"I do think he [Mount] is a good player, and I like him. I wanted Liverpool to get him. Lots of coaches have picked him and like him. There is already a good player in there, but Declan Rice would suit United more than Mason Mount in terms of how they set up."
Mason Mount's potential transfer to Manchester United appears to be a possibility after Fabrizio Romano claimed that the Red Devils sent a private message to the 24-year-old to keep his desire to join the Old Trafford outfit burning.