Manchester United are currently inactive as the 2023 summer transfer window activities take off.
News of Manchester United's rivals concluding deals or announcing new arrivals has continued to dominate the internet, but the Red Devils have found themselves in another Frenkie De Jong type of situation.
The 20-time Premier League Champions are being held to ransom, from my perspective, by Chelsea over Mason Mount's transfer. However, the difference between the England star and Frenkie De Jong is that the Chelsea ace has made it crystal clear he isn't going to extend his contract, which leaves the Blues without any choice but to either sanction his sale or lose him for free next year.
The Red Devils saw their bid of £40 million rejected by the London-based outfit, according to reports, and MEN alleged that the Red Devils are cautiously relentless in their pursuit of the Cobham graduate.
"Despite continued uncertainty regarding the takeover situation, United are pushing ahead with a deal to sign Mason Mount and could shortly submit an improved bid for his signature.
It is encouraging that Erik ten Hag is being backed to sign a player he admires so much, but United must also proceed with an element of caution given the unclear state of play this summer.
It is understood that United's opening offer for Mount was somewhere in the region of £40 million, while Chelsea value their academy graduate closer to the £70 million mark," MEN instigated in their article.
While it will be unwise of the Red Devils to chase the 24-year-old all through the summer transfer window, they have been advised to remain unmoved on their stance regarding the offer they are willing to table to Chelsea for their wanted away star. Men believe they will surely get their man in the end, but they shouldn't become a culprit for overpaying for a player like they have in recent years.
"There is optimism that both clubs will be able to meet somewhere in the middle, and United could well look to make up a sizeable chunk of the deal by offering performance-related add-ons.
A deal in the region of £50 million would represent a fair price for both clubs, but United need to make sure they remain stubborn during talks and don't cave into Chelsea's excessive demands for a player who is out of contract in a year's time.
United have been guilty of overpaying for players in the past, and given they don't know how much money will be available this summer, it is crucial that they don't rush into a deal just to get it completed quickly," MEN advised.
Although Mason Mount's qualities are undeniable, the Red Devils cannot fork out a hefty fee for him given their top transfer priorities—a striker and a goalkeeper—are yet to be met.
A limited transfer fund means that getting high-bidder buyers for the sales of several players on their sale list would be what they need to meet up with their chase for a new striker. Yet still, Mason Mount will help ease the workload on both Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes, but he is not the player who will transform the team.
As stated by MEN, there is even an argument that signing a midfielder should be third on the list of priorities, behind both a striker and a goalkeeper, and that they shouldn't spend such a huge amount on Mount until those other areas are taken care of.
It means they must set a strict limit to the fee they would be willing to spend on Mount and ensure that it does not limit what other business they might be able to do this summer.
In our humble opinion, there is still Gabri Viega, who could be signed for £40 million and save Manchester United a whole lot of millions.